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PURCHASED  •  WITH  •  I  NCOAE 

•FRO^'THE  • 


THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  PRECIOUS 
MANUSCRIPTS  AND  OBJECTS 


OF  ART  AND  VERTU. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2019  with  funding  from 
The  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art 


https://archive.org/details/catalogueofmagniOOsoth 


CATALOGUE 

OF  THE  MAGNIFICENT  COLLECTION 
OF  PRECIOUS  MANUSCRIPTS 
AND  OBJECTS  OF  ART 
AND  VERTU, 

OF 

M.  GUGLI  ELMO  LI  Bill, 

* ■*  *  ' 

Including 

ANCIENT  LIMOGES  AND  RUSSIAN  ENAMELS;  RARE  NIELLOS  ON  SILVER; 
EXQUISITELY  CARVED  IVORIES;  MEDIAEVAL  ORNAMENTATIONS  AND  DECORATIONS; 

Unique  Set  of  (Solti  Etiols  anti  ©rnaments  tig  Efiorigtnes  of  America  ; 

Rich  Byzantine  Book-Covers,  with  Ivory  Plaques,  Gems,  and  Enamels; 

An  Admirable  Intaglio  (signed)  by  AAA  ION,  the  celebrated  Greek  Sculptor  of  Gems ; 
Medallions  by  the  famous  Matteo  de  Pastis,  etc.  ;  Silver  Medal  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots  ; 
A  MAGNIFICENTLY  ORNAMENTED  EARLY  SHIELD; 

AN  ADMIRABLE  VENETIAN  RENAISSANCE  CASKET  IN  SILVER ; 

Magnificent  Hunting  Horns  of  Carved  Ivory,  made  for  Henry  III.  King  of  France,  and  for 

Christian  V.  King  of  Denmark  ; 

A  matchless  Set  of  Carved  Ivory  Chessmen  on  an  Arabesque  Chess-Board,  attributed  to 
Benvenuto  Cellini,,  made  for  the  celebrated  Cardinal  Farnese  ; 

A  Celestial  Globe  and  Stand  of  Metal,  admirably  Painted  in  Gold  by  P.  Apianus  ; 
Original  Inkstand,  Fittings,  and  Seal,  in  Gilt  Metal  ornamented  with  Lapis  Lazult,  of 

COSMO  DE’  MEDICIS; 

BEAUTIFUL  DRAWINGS  BY  THE  MOST  EMINENT  MASTERS, 

Raffaello,  Michelangelo ,  Leonardo  da  Vinci ,  Titian ,  Albert  Durer,  Murillo ,  Poussin ,  Rembrandt ,  $’C.; 
Xylographic  Productions  of  the  Earliest  Period  ; 

Excessively  Rare  and  almost  unknown  Paste  Impressions  of  Engravings  ; 

ARTISTIC  MANUSCRIPTS  ON  VELLUM,  WITH  ADMIRABLE  ILLUMINATIONS,  AND  OTHERS 
(BIBLICAL,  HISTORICAL,  ROMANCES  OF  CHIVALRY,  ETC.  ETC.)  OF 
THE  NINTH  AND  FOLLOWING  CENTURIES, 

Comprising  A  Corpus  Juris  Canonici  with  Paintings  by  GIOTTO  and  his  Pupils; 

The  Original  Account  of  the  Funeral  of  ANNE  DE  BRETAGNE,  with  Illustrative  Mini¬ 
atures  of  the  Queen  and  the  persons  assisting,  as  arrayed  for  the  Ceremony,  being  the  Copy 
made  for  the  King  of  France,  and  one  of  the  finest  Specimens  of  French  Art  ever  offered  for  sale ; 

A  Corpus  Historic  a  Tempore  Caroli  Magni  ad  Philippum  II ; 

Bible  en  Francois,  UNPUBLISHED  Version,  with  beautiful  MINIATURES  on  gold  ground  ; 
Smaragdi  Explications s,  a  most  valuable  Hispano-Visigothic  Codex  of  the  IXth  Century ; 

©tpjptian  3Papgri>  ©optic  anti  &ralnc  ©atlj)  iftamusetipts ; 

A  Superb  Koran  in  Arabic,  written  in  the  Year  975  of  the  Hegira  for  the  Emperor  of  Morocco ; 

©Hraottnnarg  Jftftojatalnc  jfHanuscvtpts  on  Ucatfjcr; 

Original  Accounts  of  Pope  Leo  X,  with  the  sums  paid  to  Raffaello  for  his  Painting  of  the  Loggia ; 
A  Greek  'FAAMIKA  of  the  XIth  Century;  &c.  &c.  &c. 

WHICH  WILL  BE  SOLD  BY  AUCTION,  BY 

MESSRS.  SOTHEBY,  WILKINSON,  &  HODGE, 

Auctioneers  of  Literary  Property  and  Works  Illustrative  of  the  Fine  Arts, 

AT  THEIR  HOUSE,  13  (late  3),  WELLINGTON  STREET,  STRAND,  W.C. 

ON  WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  1,  1864,  at  one  o’Clock  precisely. 

i 

On  View  Three  Days  previously,  and  Catalogues  may  be  had  on  application. 


CONDITIONS  OF  SALE. 


I.  The  highest  bidder  to  be  the  buyer ;  and  if  any  dispute  arise 

between  bidders,  the  lot  so  disputed  shall  be  immediately  put 
up  again,  provided  the  seller  cannot  decide  the  said  dispute. 

II.  No  person  to  advance  less  than  Qd. ;  above  ten  shillings.  Is. 
above  five  pounds,  2s.  6d. ;  and  so  on. 

III.  The  purchasers  to  give  in  their  names  and  places  of  abode, 
and  to  pay  down  10s.  in  the  pound,  if  required,  in  part  pay¬ 
ment  of  the  purchase  money  ;  in  default  of  which  the  lot  or 
lots  purchased  to  be  immediately  put  up  again  and  re-sold. 

IV.  The  lots  to  be  taken  away,  at  the  buyer’s  expense,  imme¬ 
diately  after  the  conclusion  of  the  sale  ;  and  in  default  of  which 
Messrs.  SOTHEBY,  WILKINSON,  and  HODGE  will 
not  hold  themselves  responsible  if  lost,  stolen,  damaged,  or 
otherwise  destroyed ;  as  they  will  be  left  at  the  sole  risk  of 
the  purchaser.  If,  at  the  expiration  of  one  week  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  sale,  the  Manuscripts  or  other  property  are 
not  cleared  or  paid  for,  they  will  then  be  catalogued  for  imme¬ 
diate  sale,  and  the  expense,  the  same  as  if  re-sold,  will  be 
added  to  the  amount  at  which  the  lots  were  bought,  Messrs. 
SOTHEBY,  WILKINSON,  and  HODGE  having  the 
option  of  re-selling  the  uncleared  lots  either  by  public  or 
private  sale,  without  any  notice  being  given  to  the  defaulter. 

V.  The  lots  have  been  catalogued  and  described  bona  fide,  and 

with  the  greatest  accuracy,  but  the  whole  of  them  will  be  sold, 
as  usual  in  all  sales  of  Manuscripts  and  Articles  of  Art  and 
Vertu,  with  all  faults  and  errors  of  description,  as  Messrs. 
SOTHEBY,  WILKINSON,  and  HODGE  cannot  hold 
themselves  responsible  for  any  inaccuracies  (certainly  uninten¬ 
tional)  which  may  have  crept  into  the  said  descriptions. 

VI.  To  prevent  inaccuracy  in  delivery,  and  inconvenience  in  the 
settlement  of  the  purchases,  no  lot  can  on  any  account  be  re¬ 
moved  during  the  time  of  sale. 

VII.  Upon  failure  of  complying  with  the  above  conditions,  the 
money  required  and  deposited  in  part  of  payment  shall  be 
forfeited  ;  and  if  any  loss  is  sustained  in  the  re-selling  of  such 
lots  as  are  not  cleared  or  paid  for,  all  charges  on  such  re-sale 
shall  be  made  good  by  the  defaulters  at  this  sale. 


CHISWICK  PRESS: — PRINTED  BY  WHITTINGHAM  AND  WItKINS,  TOOKS  COURT,  CHANCERY  LANE. 


THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION 

OF 

PRECIOUS  MANUSCRIPTS 

AND 

OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU. 

Lot  1. 

HEIST  Crowned  with  Thorns,  in  alto-relievo,  of  red 
Copper,  bearing  traces  of  ancient  gilding  and  enamel¬ 
ing. 

A  very  curious  and  important  specimen  of  Limoges  workmanship  at 
the  end  of  the  Xllth  or  beginning  of  the  Xlllth  Century,  measuring 
8  English  inches  in  height,  or  about  20  French  centimetres.  For  the 
history  of  art  it  is  a  most  interesting  relic,  as  this  Christ  (which  in  all 
probability  formed  a  portion  to  the  cover  of  a  church-service  book)  has 
been  detached  from  the  cross  to  which  it  was  originally  a  pendant,  and 
exposes  to  view  the  internal  structure  of  such  subjects.  It  shows  how  the 
eyes  were  fixed  from  the  interior,  and  how  the  folds  of  the  draperies 
were  formed. 

2  Triptych,  folding  in  three  compartments,  executed  in  yellowish 

Metal,  and  ornamented  with  enamels  of  blue  and  white,  having 
a  great  number  of  bas-reliefs  (representing  Eeligious  Subjects), 
with  Inscriptions  in  the  Eussian  language. 

This  Triptych  is  a  specimen  of  Russian  art  in  the  XVIIth  Century,  and 
measures  rather  more  than  6  English  inches  in  length,  by  4  inches  in 
height,  or  about  15  by  10  French  centimetres. 

3  Triptych  (in  three  folds),  in  yellowish  Metal,  enamelled  in  white 

and  blue,  having  the  figure  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  with 
other  Eeligious  Subjects  in  bas-relief. 

This  specimen  of  Russian  art  (with  many  Inscriptions  in  the  Russian  language) 

B 


2 


THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


is  of  the  XVIIth  Century.  It  measures  6  inches  in  length,  and  4  inches 
in  height,  or  15  by  10  centimetres;  and  is,  like  all  old  enamels  executed 
in  Russia,  a  very  great  rarity. 

4  Diptych  (Double),  closing  in  four  folds,  in  pale  sculptured  Bronze. 

Each  fold  represents  a  Picture  (divided  into  four  compart¬ 
ments)  of  a  square  form  in  the  lower  portion,  surmounted  by 
another  Design  of  an  arched  shape,  usually  termed  Greek 
Ogival. 

This  admirable  relic ,  16  inches  in  length,  and  6^  in  height,  or  40  by  17  centi¬ 
metres,  is  divided  into  sixteen  compartments,  each  of  which  contains,  in 
bas-relief,  a  subject  taken  from  the  life  of  our  Saviour  and  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary.  The  four  ogives  (arches)  in  larger  dimensions,  represent  four 
analogous  subjects.  This  double  Diptych  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
productions  of  Russian  art  in  the  XVIth  Century,  and  is  filled  up  with 
Inscriptions  in  the  old  Slavonic  characters.  The  rarity  of  monuments  of 
early  Russian  art  is  well  known,  and  since  the  publication  of  the  magnifi¬ 
cent  work  of  fac-similes  by  Ilis  Majesty  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  costing 
several  millions  of  francs,  articles  of  this  kind  have  been  eagerly  bought 
up  at  enormous  prices. 

5  Limoges  Enamel. 

A  Plaque,  6^  by  4^  inches,  representing  the  Crucifixion  (a  view  of  Jerusalem 
in  the  back-ground),  seen  through  an  arch  of  elegant  design,  having  at 
the  top  corners  the  symbols  of  two  of  the  Evangelists.  The  design  is  fine, 
the  colours  vivid,  and  the  figures  admirably  grouped,  but  the  execution 
shows  that  it  must  have  been  an  attempt  of  the  enameller  before  practice 
had  made  him  a  perfect  master  of  his  art.  It  is  enclosed  in  a  purple 
velvet  case,  opening  to  form  a  triptych. 

6  Seals  of  Edward  I  (damaged),  Henry  VII  (slightly  imperfect), 

Henry  VIII,  Queen  Elizabeth,  James  I,  and  George  III.  (6) 

These  and  following  Great  Seals  are  similar  to  those  exhibited  in  the  British 
Museum. 

7  Seals  (Great)  of  Henry  VII,  Henry  VIII,  Queen  Elizabeth,  and 

James  I,  and  Great  Seals  of  the  Emperors  Charles  V  and 
Ferdinand.  (6) 

8  Great  Seal  of  Queen  Elizabeth  to  Exemplification  of  Letters 

Patent  (38  Elizabeth)  ;  Seal  and  Signature  of  Robert  Morton 
to  a  Deed  of  Gift  (24  Henry  VIII) ;  Seal  of  Henry  VI  to  a 
Deed  (in  English),  dated  9  December,  1441 ;  Papal  Bull  of 
Celestinus  III  (dated  “  mi  Kal.  Aprilis  Pontificatus  nostri 
anno  septimo,”  i.  e.,  1197),  with  leaden  seal;  Common  Seal 
of  the  Archbishop  of  Mayence  to  a  Deed  respecting  the  Tithes 
of  Breitenburg,  dated  1228.  (5) 

9  Ornaments,  of  rather  large  dimensions,  in  gilt  Metal,  richly 

chased,  which  have  belonged  to  the  covering  of  an  ancient 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


3 


Manuscript  in  folio;  and  which  would  serve  admirably  to 
decorate  any  similar  work,  for  which  a  magnificent  binding  in 
the  antique  style  might  be  deemed  necessary. 

The  set  is  quite  perfect,  and  consists  of  centre-pieces,  corners,  clasps,  &c.  The 
whole  is  of  the  most  beautiful  cinque-cento  workmanship,  and  decidedly 
Italian.  The  very  great  rarity  of  these  ancient  garnitures  for  books, 
caused  by  the  numerous  accidents  to  which  they  are  constantly  exposed, 
is  but  too  well  known  to  all  collectors,  and  the  chances  of  obtaining  good 
specimens  are  daily  decreasing.  The  present  set  is  an  admirable  example 
of  Italian  cinque-cento  art  as  applied  to  bookbinding,  and  is  very  superior 
to  any  we  can  recollect  to  have  occurred  in  any  previous  public  sale. 

10  Ornaments  in  Silver,  chased  and  engraved,  which  have  been 

used  for  the  covering  of  an  old  Book ;  and  which,  being  in  a 
perfect  condition,  might  be  readily  employed  again  in  the 
decoration  of  an  ancient  work,  either  manuscript  or  printed. 

These  bibliopegistic  garnitures  are  executed  in  a  beautiful  and  severe  style, 
with  figures  perfectly  delineated,  and  are  apparently  some  of  the  most 
interesting  specimens  of  English  Silversmiths'  vjork  at  the  commencement 
of  the  XVIIth  Century. 

11  Medallion  in  Bronze,  fine  and  large,  3^  English  inches,  or 

95  millimetres  in  diameter,  representing  the  bust  of  Pope 
Alexander  YII,  so  celebrated  for  his  quarrel  with  Louis  XIV, 
King  of  France,  having  on  the  reverse  the  well-known  story 
of  Androcles  and  the  Lion. 

12  Medallion  in  Bronze,  3^4-  English  inches,  or  94  millimetres  in 

diameter,  with  the  bust  of  Cardinal  Ippolito  de’  Medici,  who 
died  at  Itri  in  1535,  poisoned  by  order  of  his  cousin, 
Alexander  I,  Duke  of  Florence. 

As  is  patent  to  all  the  world,  this  Cardinal  Ipolito  loved  and  protected  litera¬ 
ture,  having  himself  translated  the  Second  Book  of  the  iEneid  into 
Italian  verse  ;  but  another  trait  of  his  character — namely,  that  he  had 
momentary  instincts  of  ferocity ,  similar  to  those  of  his  cousin  Alexander 
— is  not  so  well  known.  Yet  in  the  Archives  of  the  Medici  at  Florence, 
there  is  a  small  packet,  labelled  in  the  autograph  of  Cardinal  Ipolito 
himself,  bearing  an  inscription  stating  that  it  contains  “  the  heard  torn  by  his 
own  hands  from  the  face  of  an  enemy,  after  stabbing  him  with  his  dagger 
in  the  anti-chamber  of  the  Pope.”  Such  is  the  trophy  the  Cardinal  wished 
to  have  preserved  in  the  family  archives ! 

13  Medallion  in  Bronze,  struck  in  honour  of  the  illustrious  Isotta 

d’Arimino,  so  celebrated  for  her  beauty  and  poetic  talents 
(described  in  the  legend  round  this  medal,  “  Isote  Arimi- 
nensi  forma  et  virtute  Italie  decori”),  who  from  being 
the  mistress,  became  the  wife  of  Sigismondo  Pandolfo  Mala- 
testa,  Sovereign  of  Rimini. 

This  fine  medallion,  on  the  obverse,  presents  us  with  the  portrait  of  the 


4 


THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


beautiful  Isotta,  surrounded  by  the  legend  given  above ;  and  on  the 
reverse,  the  device  of  an  elephant  (that  to  be  found  on  the  medals  of 
Sigismondo)  encircled  by  the  following  inscription :  “  Opus  Mathei  be 
Pastis,  mccccxlvi.”  In  this  medallion,  3^  English  inches,  or  83  milli¬ 
metres,  in  diameter,  Isotta  is  represented  as  rather  aged.  In  Tiraboschi 
“  Storia  della  Litteratura  Italiana,”  will  be  found  an  account  of  the 
renown  of  Isotta  (whose  praise  has  also  been  sung  by  the  poet  Porcelius, 
in  his  famous  “Isottams”)  and  of  the  great  celebrity  of  Matteo  Pasti, 
whose  medals  are  of  great  rarity. 

14  Mary  Queen  of  Scots.  A  fine  Silver  Teston,  struck  in  1560 

in  honour  of  Mary  Stuar't  and  Francis  II,  King  of  France. 
On  one  side  are  the  royal  arms  of  France  and  Scotland,  with 
the  legend,  “  Fean  .  et  Ma  .  D .  G .  R .  R .  Franco  .  Scotch^  .” 
On  the  other  side  stands  the  monogram  FM,  with  the  royal 
arms,  having  on  the  left  the  crowned  Fleur-de-lys  and  on  the 
right  the  crowned  Thistle  of  Scotland,  with  the  legend, 
“  Vicit  .  Leo  .  de  .  Teibu  .  ivda  .  1560.” 

This  medal  is  in  excellent  preservation  and  very  rare. 

15  Intaglio.  An  ancient  Gem,  probably  representing  one  of  the 

Deities  of  Asia  Minor  or  of  Egypt,  supposed  to  be  similar  to 
the  Diana  of  the  Greeks. 

This  precious  intaglio,  admirable  in  its  execution,  bears,  in  Greek  characters, 
the  name  of  the  celebrated  artist  A  A  AKIN  as  the  engraver  of  it.  In  the 
learned  work  of  Bracci  (“  Commentaria  de  antiquis  Sculptoribus  qui  sua 
Nomina  inciderunt  in  gemmis  et  cammeis.”  2  vols.  folio.  Florentia?, 
1784-86)  may  be  seen  (tom.  I.  pp.  51  et  seq .)  that  there  were  several 
artists,  styling  themselves  AAAK2N,  AAAION,  AAAYON,  AAAIONOC, 
who  engraved  their  names  on  the  gems  they  executed,  and  that  the  most 
famous  of  these,  whose  works  were  the  most  to  be  admired,  was  he 
who  wrote  it  AAAIHN.  This  precious  intaglio  is  therefore  by  the  best 
engraver  of  the  name,  a  celebrated  artist  who,  according  to  Bracci,  lived 
in  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Augustus. 

16  A  Magnificent  Shield,  highly  embellished  with  engraved  work, 

and  covered  with  gilt  or  silvered  ornaments,  representing  in 
four  beautiful  Medallions,  four  Knights  or  Kings,  Trophies  of 
Arms,  foliage  work,  &c.  &c. 

This  splendid  piece  of  armour ,  measuring  22  inches  (about  56  centimetres)  in 
diameter,  is  of  a  circular  convex  shape,  with  a  pointed  centre.  In  all 
probability  it  is  a  production  of  Italo- French  art  at  the  end  of  the  XVth  or 
the  beginning  of  the  XVIth  Century.  The  ornamentations  on  this  shield, 
which  would  be  an  ornament  in  any  great  collection,  are  engraved,  the 
back-ground  having  been  excavated  in  the  metal  by  an  acid,  a  process 
anciently  well  known,  and  described  by  the  celebrated  Benvenuto  Cellini 
in  his  Trattato  d'  Orificeria,  published  three  centuries  ago.  This  admirable 
shield  is  quite  perfect,  and  in  its  pristine  state,  without  any  repairs  what¬ 
soever,  except  that  the  rust  has  been  removed,  and  the  gilding,  which  by 
age  and  neglect  had  become  faded,  has  had  its  gold  admirably  revived 
under  the  direction  of  Messrs.  Hunt  and  Roskell,  the  well-known  jewellers 
to  Her  Majesty  the  Queen. — See  Plate  I. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


5 


17  Reliquary  of  Saint  Thomas  a  Becket,  Archbishop  of 

C  A  N T E R B U R  Y  ( m u rdered  29  December,  117 1) ,  in  gilt  metal,  richly 
adorned  with  cloisonnes  enamels  (of  extraordinary  rarity )  of  in¬ 
comparable  colour,  and  apparently  of  English  workmanship  to¬ 
wards  the  end  of  the  Xllth  Century. 

A  MOST  VALUABLE  SPECIMEN  OF  ENGLISH  MEDIAEVAL  Art. 

In  the  famous  Bernal  Collection  there  was  a  very  similar  Reliquary  (see  No.  1 320 
of  the  interesting  “  Guide  to  the  Knowledge  of  Pottery,”  &c.,  published 
by  Mr.  Henry  G.  Bohn),  but  which  must  not  be  confounded  with  the 
present,  there  being  not  only  a  difference  in  the  sizes,  but  also  other 
variations.  Bernal’s  is  described  as  4A  inches  in  length,  whilst  the  admea¬ 
surement  of  the  present  gives  5 A  inches,  or  13 a  centimetres.  Again,  on 
inspecting  the  coloured  plate,  as  given  in  the  Guide  just  quoted,  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  colours  of  the  enamels,  as  well  as  the  tints,  are  infinitely 
richer  in  the  Libri  Casket.  In  addition,  we  would  point  out  that  the 
Bernal  coffer  has  fewer  figures  (that  of  the  person  bearing  the  cross  in  the 
Libri  being  totally  omitted  in  the  Bernal),  and  that  even  the  positions  and 
attitudes  are  widely  different.  In  the  mediaeval  collection  at  the  British 
Museum,  amongst  the  most  beautiful  ancient  Enamels  selected  and  exhi¬ 
bited  in  “  Table  Case  G,”  there  is  a  Reliquary  or  Chasse,  representing  the 
Death  of  Thomas  a  Becket,  very  similar  to  the  one  here  described,  and 
which,  in  the  “  Guide  to  the  Museum,”  is  ascribed  to  the  XHIth  Century. 

Small  reliquaries,  or  caskets  to  contain  reliques  of  saints,  especially  of 
such  as  figure  in  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  England,  are  of  excessive 
rarity,  and  only  to  be  found  in  the  possession  of  wealthy  English  Catholics, 
who  set  an  enormous  value  thereon.  In  addition  to  the  interest  belonging 
to  a  Reliquary  of  Saint  Thomas  a  Becket  (whose  murder  created  so  strong 
a  sensation,  not  only  in  England,  but  also  throughout  all  countries  abroad,  to 
which  no  doubt  relics  of  so  holy  a  man  were  speedily  conveyed),  this 
casket  may  in  all  probability  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  ancient  and 
rarest  specimens  of  the  art  of  enameling  in  England,  as  the  costumes, 
arms,  and  in  fact  the  entire  design,  stamp  it  as  an  indubitable  example  of 
English  mediaeval  workmanship.  The  relics  themselves  may  have  been 
carefully  removed  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  to  prevent  the  desecra¬ 
tion  to  which  they  would  necessarily  be  exposed  in  their  attractive 
shrine,  but  the  fact  of  their  having  been  guarded  therein  is  patent  by  the 
small  receptacle  under  lock  and  key  (also  enamelled)  still  existing  in  the 
hind  pocket  of  this  inestimable  Reliquary. — See  Plate  II. 

18  Dressing  Case,  with  Toilette  Glass,  etc.  etc.  admirably 

executed  in  Silver  by  a  Venetian  Artist  in  the  XVIth  Century, 
ivith  exquisite  ornaments  in  relief  and  repousse ,  on  stand  under  a 
glass  shade. 

This  admirable  Silver  Casket,  or  large  Venetian  Dressing  Case,  is  of  unusual 
dimensions,  and  measures  11A  inches  in  length,  5A  inches  in  height,  and  8 
inches  in  breadth  (that  is  to  say,  29  by  14  by  20  French  centimetres).  It  is 
of  exquisite  workmanship,  having  most  beautiful  ornamentations  in  silver, 
chased  in  relievo,  besides  being  enriched  with  other  very  delicate  repousse 
ornaments  of  gold  admirably  finished  in  the  best  style,  commingling  with 
columns,  wreaths,  and  plaques,  adorned  with  arms  and  flowers  of  gold  on 
the  most  beautiful  Venetian  purple  glass,  of  which  the  rarity  can  admit  of 


6 


THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


no  dispute.  The  form  of  this  exquisite  casket,  resting  on  four  feet  of  a 
beautiful  character,  reminds  us  of  the  dressing  cases  of  the  Roman  ladies 
sometimes  to  be  found  depicted  on  ancient  monuments.  It  is  in  perfect 
preservation,  and  to  render  it  more  interesting,  is  accompanied  by  the 
original  key,  admirably  executed  in  silver  and  steel.  Inside  there  is  an 
ancient  Toilette  Glass.  The  entire  casket  is  lined  with  red  silk-stuff  in 
excellent  condition.  As  a  jewel-box  or  toilette  ornament  for  even  a  lady 
of  the  highest  title,  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  find  an  object  more 
beautiful  in  shape,  or  one  of  more  exquisite  workmanship. — See  Plate  III. 

19  Inkstand  of  the  Medici  Family,  in  Gilt  Metal  and  Lapis 

Lazuli,  of  Florentine  Workmanship  in  the  first 

HALF  OF  THE  XVlTH  CENTURY. 

An  admirable  specimen  of  a  very  beautiful  style,  and  in  perfect  condition.  The 
dimensions  are  large,  the  stand  being  15A  inches  in  length,  and  10i  inches 
in  width  (39  by  26  centimetres),  with  a  bell  standing  about  5  inches  high 
(12  centimetres),  and  the  rest  of  the  pieces  in  proportion.  The  entire  set 
of  articles  comprises  : — 1.  An  oval  stand  of  gilt  metal,  with  ornamentations 
of  lapis  lazuli,  and  having  the  Medici  arms  engraved  in  the  centre  ;  2.  The 
receptacle  for  ink ;  3.  The  pounce-box ;  4.  The  bell,  with  a  small  seal  in 
lapis  lazuli  at  the  tip  ;  5.  The  great  seal,  with  a  beautiful  handle  of  lapis 
lazuli ;  6.  The  reservoir  and  pen-holder,  in  which  water  was  kept  to  prevent 
the  ink  drying  on  the  quills  when  placed  in  the  holes  destined  for  their 
reception  ;  and  7.  The  box  for  wafers,  used  in  those  days  for  sealing  letters. 

This  inkstand,  quite  perfect  and  free  from  every  repair,  is  probably  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  kind  now  in  existence,  the  lapis  lazuli  being 
extremely  rich,  and  the  workmanship  in  the  grandest  style.  From  the 
arms  themselves  it  is  apparenfthat  it  must  have  been  made  for  a  Duke  of 
the  Medici  family  prior  to  1569,  (most  probably  for  Cosmo  I,)  as  in  that 
year  the  former  ducal  crown  was  changed  by  Pope  Pius  Y  to  that  of  a  Grand 
Duke. — See  Plate  II. 

20  Magnificent  carved  Ivory  Triptych,  closing  in  leaves  and 

representing  the  Blessed  Virgin  standing,  and  in  alto  relievo, 
holding  in  her  arms  the  Infant  Jesus,  under  a  Canopy  of 
Romanesque  Architecture,  having  four  figures  of  Saints  (two 
on  her  right  and  two  on  her  left  hand)  also  carved  in  relief. 
Above  is  figured  a  representation  of  the  Celestial  Jerusalem 
with  Fortifications,  in  a  style  approaching  to  the  age  of  the 
Crusades ,  and  in  all  probability  executed  in  the  XHth  Century. 

This  beautiful  Triptych  of  large  dimensions,  about  12  English  inches  in  height 
by  9|-  inches  in  width,  (or  30  by  24  French  centimetres,)  is  in  a  pretty  and 
ancient  frame  composed  of  wood  and  ivory,  of  an  angular  form,  and  is 
mounted  on  a  stand.  It  is  in  perfect  condition,  without  the  slightest 
attempt  at  restoration,  (the  usual  bane  of  such  articles,)  and  strongly 
reminds  us  of  the  Soltikoff  Triptych  (No.  233  of  the  Catalogue)  described 
as  being  of  the  Xlllth  Century,  which  sold  for  7500  francs,  or  £300 
sterling.  They  have  much  in  common,  except  that  this  Triptych  of  M. 
Libri  appears  to  be  rather  earlier  than  that  of  Prince  Soltikoff,  the  latter’s 
being  of  the  middle  of  the  Xlllth  Century,  instead  of  the  end  of  the  XHth 
or  beginning  of  the  Xlllth  Century,  like  M.  Libri’s,  which  is  also  a  trifle 
larger  in  size,  and  certainly  richer  in  figures.  As  a  fine  specimen  of  early 
carving  in  ivory,  the  present  would  grace  the  proudest  collection. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


7 


21  Hunting-Horn  of  carved  Ivory,  made  for  Henry  III 

King  of  France  and  Poland,  in  the  XVIth  Century, 

AND  TASTEFULLY  DECORATED  WITH  THE  ARMS  OF  FRANCE 

and  Poland,  and  with  Medallion  Portraits  of 
Francis  I,  Henry  II,  Francis  II,  Charles  IX,  and 
Henry  III.  A  beautiful  specimen  of  French  art. 

A  MAGNIFICENT  SPECIMEN  OF  CARVING  IN  IVORY,  AND  IN  PERFECT  PRESERVATION. 

It  is  of  considerable  dimensions,  as  it  measures  30  English  inches,  or  75 
French  centimetres,  in  length,  according  to  the  outer  curvature,  and  28  inches, 
or  70  centimetres,  in  a  straight  line.  The  rarity  of  fine  carvings  in  ivory 
executed  in  France,  especially  of  those  manipulated  for  any  of  its 
sovereigns,  is  too  well  known  to  collectors  to  require  any  comment ;  and 
we  shall  content  ourselves  with  merely  asserting,  that  for  the  richness  and 
variety  of  the  carvings  and  ornaments,  this  specimen  boldly  challenges 
comparison  with  any  compeer  whatever.  Thereon  are  displayed  angels, 
trophies  of  arms,  prisoners  (apparently  Russian)  on  the  side  of  the  arms 
of  Poland,  dolphins,  foliage,  and,  indeed,  every  emblematic  or  allegorical 
figure  that  can  be  brought  to  be  allusive  to  the  kings  of  France  or  Poland. 
The  name  of  each  king  is  carved  in  capitals  round  his  medallion-portrait. 
The  medallions  of  the  first  four  Sovereigns  are  placed  two  and  two  on 
each  side  of  the  length  of  the  Horn.  The  medallion  of  Henry  III, 
occupying  the  centre  below,  is  sustained  by  two  angels  beneath,  having 
above  the  French  crown,  and  is  supported  by  two  shields  of  arms  (those 
of  France  and  Poland)  surmounted  by  a  military  trophy,  and  having  at 
each  side  the  figure  of  a  prisoner,  who  by  his  beard  and  dress  would  appear 
to  be  a  Russian.  The  medallions  measure  about  10  centimetres,  or  4 
English  inches,  in  height;  and  the  angels  12  to  13  centimetres,  or  rather 
more  than  5  inches.  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  state  that  in  the  famous 
Soltikoff  Sale  (which  occupied  at  Paris,  in  1861,  twelve  days,  and  produced 
1,602,840  francs,  or  upwards  of  £64,000)  there  were  two  hunting-horns 
(No.  376  and  377  of  the  Catalogue)  of  very  inferior  workmanship,  and 
both  less  in  size  (the  one  measuring  60,  and  the  other  62  centimetres,  or 
about  24  English  inches)  ;  without  any  pedigree  or  clue  to  point  out  their 
origin ;  which,  however,  on  account  of  the  rarity  of  such  articles,  sold  for 
4000  and  5000  francs  (£160  and  £200).  Could  these  horns,  like  the 
present,  have  been  traced  to  royalty,  they  would  have  undoubtedly  sold 
for  five  or  six  times  the  amount  they  brought,  a  conclusion  fairly  to  be 
inferred  from  the  circumstance  of  Lot  224  bis,  in  the  same  Sale,  described 
as  a  Group  in  Ivory  with  the  Arms  of  France,  (nothing  extraordinary  in 
point  of  art,  but  supposed  to  have  been  executed  for  Philip  the  Bold,  King 
of  France,)  selling  for  30,000  francs,  or  £1200  sterling. — See 
Plate  IIII. 

22  Ivory  Hunting-horn  of  Christian  V,  King  of  Denmark, 

fine  Carving  of  the  XYIIth  Century. 

A  very  beautiful  specimen  of  ivory  sculpture,  of  nearly  the  same  dimensions  as 
the  magnificent  horn  of  Henry  III,  but  with  rather  a  stronger  curvature. 
This  hunting-horn  displays  at  the  foot,  in  front,  the  royal  arms  of 
Denmark,  with  supporters  (two  full-length  savages),  executed  on  a  large 
scale,  and  is  profusely  decorated  with  the  figures  of  animals  (lions, 
elephants,  bears,  dogs,  &c.),  admirably  grouped  and  carved.  At  the  back 
there  is  a  large  medallion  portrait  of  the  King,  with  the  inscription, 
“  Ciiristianus  Rex  Daniae  (the  E  wanting )  1670,”  showing  that  it  was, 


8  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

in  all  probability,  an  offering  made  to  His  Majesty  at  bis  coronation  in 
that  year,  as  Christian  Y,  (so  well  known  as  the  legislator  for  his  country,) 
was  born  15th  April,  1646,  ascended  the  throne  in  1670,  and  died,  after 
a  reign  of  twenty-one  years,  on  25th  August,  1691.  This  beautiful  relic  is 
in  perfect  preservation,  and,  whilst  of  the  greatest  importance  as  a 
specimen  of  Danish  art  in  the  XVIItii  Century,  acquires  an  additional 
interest  in  this  country  by  the  intermarriage  of  the  heir  of  the  English 
crown  with  a  Princess  of  Denmark. — See  Peate  Y. 

23  Chess-Men  or  Carved  Ivory,  of  beautiful  Italian  Work¬ 

manship  of  the  XVIth  Century,  standing  on  an 
Arabesque  Chess-Board,  under  a  Glass  Shade. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  do  justice  to  this  marvellous  specimen  of  Italian  art, 
whilst  in  its  zenith,  by  any  written  description  unaccompanied  by  figures. 
It  must  be  seen  to  be  appreciated.  According  to  tradition,  this  mag¬ 
nificent  set  of  chess-men  was  carved  by  Benvenuto  Celeini  for  the 
celebrated  Cardinal  Farnese,  the  great  patron  of  Giulio  Clovio.  The 
chess-men  are  all  of  spotless  white  ivory,  of  noble  dimensions  (the  kings 
measuring  4  English  inches,  or  10  French  centimetres  in  height),  and 
represent  warriors  with  their  arms,  and  in  the  costumes  such  as  are  seen 
on  ancient  monuments,  and  which  all  Europe  was  at  this  period  intent  on 
imitating.  The  different  pieces  on  the  one  side  represent  a  Boman  army, 
with  its  officers,  lictors,  &c.,  the  castles  being  represented  by  Roman 
turrets  mounted  on  elephants,  and  the  pawns  by  soldiers.  On  the  other 
side  its  Grecian  opponents,  as  peasants,  are  marshalled  under  proper 
chiefs,  ministers,  &c.,  &c.  All  these  pieces  are  exquisite  carvings  by 

A  GREAT  MASTER,  AND  POSSESS  A  PERFECTION  OF  WORKMANSHIP  AND  DESIGN 
WHICH  HAS  NEVER  BEEN  EQUALLED  IN  ANY  WORK  OF  THE  SORT.  For  instance, 

the  figures  of  the  knights  on  the  Roman  side  (naturally  represented  as  con¬ 
querors),  with  the  wounded  foe  sinking  at  their  feet,  trodden  down  by  the 
horse,  are  chef s-d'  oeuvre  which  even  the  greatest  sculptors  would  have  been 
but  too  proud  to  have  marked  with  their  own  name.  The  chess-board  itself, 
in  black  and  white  squares,  surrounded  by  admirable  arabesques  (or 
Grotteschi,  as  they  were  technically  called  in  Italy  during  the  XVIth 
Century),  as  a  work  of  art  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable.  This  chef- 
cT oeuvre,  as  an  artistic  gem,  has  not  its  equal  amongst  the  numerous  sets  of 
chess-men  hitherto  known,  and  what  is  the  more  extraordinary,  is  per¬ 
fectly  complete,  and  in  the  finest  state  of  preservation,  thanks  to  a  large  glass 
shade,  which  appears  to  have  been  its  constant  protector. — See  Plate  YI. 

24  Celestial  Globe.  A  magnificent  Astronomical  Sphere  of  metal, 

painted  in  gold  upon  a  blue  ground,  with  figures  of  the  Con¬ 
stellations  and  Stars  admirably  represented  in  gold  by  a  skilful 
artist.  The  stand  (a  tripod)  is  of  fine  metal  work,  with  a  small 
Compass  attached  to  one  of  the  feet,  in  order  to  regulate  the 
fixing  due  North  of  both  spheres. 

This  admirable  work  of  art  is  by  the  celebrated  maker  of  astronomical  instru¬ 
ments,  Peter  Apianus,  so  well  known  as  the  author  of  the  “  Cosmographia,” 
first  published  at  Landshut  in  1524.  A  similar  Sphere,  by  the  same  artist, 
is  stated  to  be  preserved,  as  a  great  astronomical  curiosity,  in  the  Museum 
at  Nuremberg.  This  important  and  capital  Sphere,  which  also  came  from 
Nuremberg,  is  a  work  of  extraordinary  rarity,  and  measures  about  16  inches 
(41  centimetres)  in  height,  by  42  inches  (1  metre  8  centimetres),  in 
circumference. — See  Plate  VII. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


9 


AMERICAN  ANTIQUITIES  BY  ABORIGINES. 

jeota  ISCM.  The  following  Lots,  from  25  to  47  inclusive, 
formed  the  entire  Collection  of  American  Antiquities  of  Charles 
Empson,  Esq.  ( Author  of “  Narratives  of  South  America ,”  and 
other  Works  respecting  if,  ivho ,  during  his  long  stay  in  the 
Southern  Latitudes  of  the  Western  Hemisphere,  devoted  much 
time  and  labour  in  searching  for  Antiquities  without  success,  and 
was  indebted  to  the  celebrated  Bolivar  for  the  possession  of 
these  valuable  Remains  of  Indian  Art,  they  having  been  presented 
to  him  in  token  of  personal  friendship  by  the  Liberator.  These 
relics,  of  pure  gold  and  elegant  workmanship,  are  undoubtedly 
genuine  remains  of  the  aboriginal  Americans  antecedent  to  the 
Spanish  Conquest,  and  of  such  excessive  rarity  are  such  articles, 
that  nothing  of  the  kind  is  to  be  found  in  the  immense  work  pub¬ 
lished  by  the  late  Lord  Kingsborough.  Even  in  the  ethnogra¬ 
phical  room  at  the  British  Museum,  in  which  the  best  portions  of 
the  American  Collections  of  Nepean,  Young,  and  Bullock,  are 
exhibited  to  the  public,  only  one  or  two  small  fragments  of  abori¬ 
ginal  American  workmanship  in  gold  are  to  be  found,  a  fact 
confirmatory  of  the  charge  brought  against  the  Spanish  Conquis- 
tadores  that  it  was  their  habit  to  melt  down  for  coin  all  objects  of 
gold  discovered  by  them  in  the  course  of  their  conquests.  In  fact, 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  objects  exhibited  are  of  stone  or  terra¬ 
cotta,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  in  bronze,  8fc.  So  rare  are, 
indeed,  American  Antiquities  in  gold,  that  Mr.  Empson  observes 
in  a  letter  to  the  Antiquarian  Society  ( see  his  4 to  volume, privately 
printed  at  Bath  in  1834,  entitled,  “  Observations  and  Correspondence 
relative  to  various  Ornaments  of  Gold,  Idols,  Sculptured  Stones, 
fyc.,p.  9) : — “At  present  it  is  so  difficult  to  meet  with 

ANY  CURIOSITIES  OF  THIS  NATURE,  THAT  I  WAS  UPWARDS 
OF  THREE  YEARS  IN  THE  COUNTRY  BEFORE  I  COULD  OB¬ 
TAIN  any,  OR  even  a  sight  of  them.”  As  Specimens  of 
early  Indian  art,  the  following  Lots  are  of  the  highest  importance, 
and  ivill,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  find  a  final  resting-place  in  a  Public 
Museum ,  so  as  to  remain  secure  from  the  crucible,  by  which,  un¬ 
fortunately  for  art  and  science,  so  many  curiosities  have  been, 


C 


10  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

and  are,  even  to  the  present  hour,  by  the  ignorant  converted  into 
ingots,  on  account  of  the  precious  metal  they  contain. 

The  whole  of  the  American  Ornaments,  Idols,  Sfc.  described  in 
Mr.  Empsons  printed  “  Observations ,”  together  ivith  some  ad¬ 
ditional  specimens  which  belonged  to  him,  although  not  included  in 
his  worli,  and  composing  the  whole  of  his  splendid  Collection,  are 
now  offered  for  sale  in  the  following  Lots,  from  25  to  47  inclusive. 

25  America.  Idol,  in  solid  gold,  representing  a  figured  Monstrosity, 

executed  by  an  aboriginal  Indian  prior  to  tlie  conquest  of  his 
country  by  the  Spaniards. 

This  Statuette,  2  inches  (5  centimetres)  in  height,  is  of  the  purest  gold,  like  all 
other  golden  objects  made  by  the  aborigines  of  South  America  prior  to 
the  Spanish  Conquest,  and  weighs  about  three  quarters  of  an  ounce.  For 
the  history  of  the  ancient  population  of  America  whilst  governed  by  their 
own  Caziques,  this  Monument  is  of  the  highest  interest. — See  Peate  VIII. 

26  America.  Statuette,  in  solid  gold,  different  in  form  from  the  pre¬ 

ceding  Lot,  apparently  of  a  Warrior  armed  with  a  Shield. 

This  figure  probably  is  intended  to  represent  some  celebrated  Indian  hero,  as 
the  face  has  evidently  been  imitated  from  nature.  The  lower  portion  is 
very  singular ,  being  Phallic ,  and  may  therefore  be  meant  as  a  represen¬ 
tation  of  an  aboriginal  deity,  similar  to  the  Priapus  of  ancient  mythology. 
It  is  2  inches  (5  centimetres)  in  height,  and  weighs  about  seven-eighths 
of  an  ounce. — See  Plate  VIII. 

27  America.  Idol,  in  gold,  representing  a  Human  Figure  with  the 

lower  part  of  an  angular  shape. 

This  figure,  of  which  the  lower  part  is  flat,  is  totally  different  in  its  workman¬ 
ship  from  the  preceding  Lots,  and  has  the  appearance  of  having  been  cast. 
It  was  probably  meant  as  a  representation  of  an  Indian  deity,  and  is  2|- 
inches  (about  6  centimetres)  in  height. 

28  America.  Human  Figure,  with  legs,  in  the  costume  of  the 

Aborigines,  of  gold. 

This  flat  Statuette  is  also  apparently  cast,  but  the  execution  is  superior  to  the 
preceding,  as  well  for  the  face  as  the  feet,  which  are  passably  represented. 
In  the  girdle  may  be  seen  a  singular  ornament  similar  to  two  small  buckles. 
It  is  1A  of  an  inch  (about  4A  centimetres)  in  height. — See  Plate  VIII. 

29  America.  Plaque  of  Gold,  on  which  are  traced  on  a  sort  of 

mantle  the  human  features. 

Probably  a  portion  only  of  a  large  plaque,  on  which  an  entire  figure  was  repre¬ 
sented. — See  Plate  VIII. 

30  America.  An  Alligator,  with  four  feet  and  open  mouth. 

This  small  Figurette,  in  solid  gold ,  shows  that  the  American  aborigines  knew 
not  only  how  to  delineate  the  human  figure,  but  also  the  forms  of  animals. 
—See  Plate  VIII. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


11 


31  America.  A  Pointed  Instrument,  in  solid  gold ,  probably  used  as 

a  needle  by  the  Indian  Aborigines,  about  2  inches  (5  centimetres) 
in  length. — See  Plate  VIII. 

32  America.  Coin  of  pure  gold,  struck  by  F.  Cortes  for  the  pay¬ 

ment  of  his  soldiers,  and  fabricated  from  the  idols  found  by 
him  in  the  Temples  of  the  Sun,  weighing  4  dwt.  9  gr. 

The  earliest  coin  struck  in  America,  and  of  excessive  rarity.  It  is  curious  as 
a  specimen  of  the  coinage  of  the  Conquistadores,  each  soldier  receiving 
one  of  these  coins  (nearly  the  weight  of  a  sovereign)  for  his  daily  pay.  On 
one  side  is  a  representation  of  a  cross,  and  on  the  other  four  figures, 
apparently  borrowed  from  the  Asteque  Calendar. — See  Plate  VIII. 

33  America.  A  Pointed  Instrument,  in  gold,  slightly  different  from 

Lot  31,  and  probably  used  by  the  Indian  Aborigines  as  a 
piercer  or  needle,  2~y  inches  (62  millimetres)  in  length. — See 
Plate  VIII. 

34  America.  Figure  of  a  Serpent,  cast  in  gold,  used  probably  by 

the  Indian  aborigines  as  an  amulet.  It  is  2-C  inches  (53  milli¬ 
metres)  in  length. — See  Plate  VIII. 

35  America.  Human  Figure,  complete,  cast  in  gold. 

Of  very  singular  aboriginal  workmanship,  this  figure  resembles  Lot  28,  except¬ 
ing  that  the  arms  and  hands  are  of  the  most  extraordinary  shape. 

36  America.  Human  Figure,  probably  female,  complete,  cast  in 

gold. 

The  extraordinary  manner  of  representing  hands,  as  seen  in  the  preceding  Lot, 
is  here  repeated,  and  would  appear  to  be  the  characteristic  style  of  art 
adopted  by  the  aborigines  of  America. — See  Plate  VIII. 

37  America.  Human  Figure,  complete,  triangular  at  the  extremity, 

of  pure  gold,  and  presenting  a  species  of  filigree  workmanship. 

The  hands  of  this  figure  are  placed  like  those  in  the  preceding  Lots,  and  are 
supporting  long  and  wiry  instruments,  the  use  of  which  it  would  be 
difficult  to  explain.  It  measures  2|-  inches  (about  6  centimetres)  in 
length. — See  Plate  VIII. 

N.  B.  The  figures  in  the  two  preceding  Lots  are  rather  less  than  the 
present. 

38  America.  Human  Figure,  male,  at  full  length,  flat,  with  legs 

crossing  in  form  of  a  triangle,  cast  in  pure  gold,  and  also 
probably  hammered. 

The  hands  bearing  an  unknown  instrument,  the  hat,  and  the  large  dangling 
ear-rings  deserve  particular  attention,  as  illustrating  the  costume  peculiar 
to  the  aborigines  of  America.  Its  height  is  about  2J-  inches,  or  G  centi¬ 
metres. — See  Plate  VIII. 


12  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


39  America.  Cross,  shaped  to  represent  a  tree  with  branches,  and 

steps  for  mounting,  cast  in  pure  gold,  and  probably  hammered. 

This  extraordinary  relic  is  one  of  those  ornaments  or  amulets  worn  by  the 
Indian  aborigines,  which  led  the  Conquistadores  to  imagine  that  the 
natives,  like  themselves,  adored  the  Cross.  The  rudeness  of  the  workman¬ 
ship  stamps  its  Indian  origin ;  and  as  a  genuine  relic  of  an  almost 
exterminated  race,  it  is  extremely  curious.  The  veneration  of  the  Cross 
is  no  way  peculiar  to  Christianity,  as  it  was  revered  by  several  Heathen 
nations.  That  it  was  a  sacred  image  amongst  the  Indian  aborigines  of 
America  is  certain,  for  a  cross  of  a  similar  figure  to  the  present  still  is 
stated  to  exist  sculptured  on  a  rock  near  Telamaque,  about  ten  miles 
from  the  Magdalena  River,  known  to  have  been  the  Indian  place  of 
worship  anterior  to  the  Conquest.  The  cross-tie  in  the  centre  is  repre¬ 
sented  by  parallel  lines  of  wire,  twisted  diamond-fashion,  and  up  the 
stem  on  each  side  are  represented  the  steps  used  by  the  natives  for  as¬ 
cending  to  the  top.  The  stem  of  this  extraordinary  work  of  Indian  art 
measures  3J-  inches  (8  centimetres)  in  length,  and  the  cross-branches  rather 
more  than  an  inch. — See  Peate  VIII. 

40  America.  Cigar  Tube  of  pure  gold,  massive,  and  of  elegant 

workmanship,  ornamented  with  foliage. 

This  elegant  Tube  was  presented  to  the  celebrated  Bolivar,  the  Liberator  of 
South  America,  as  an  undoubted  relic  of  the  great  Cazique  Montezuma, 
although  popular  tradition,  in  this  instance  likely  to  be  more  correct, 
assigned  the  ownership  to  Fernandez  Cortes,  who  is  supposed  to  have 
had  it  manufactured  for  his  own  private  smoking,  out  of  the  gold  he 
obtained  by  melting  down  the  idols  he  found  in  the  Temples  of  the  Sun. 
This  great  curiosity  measures  3^.  inches  (8-?-  centimetres)  in  length. — See 
Peate  VIII. 

41  America.  Ornament  in  gold,  of  large  dimensions,  with  a  Man’s 

Head  in  the  centre,  in  repousse  work. 

This  magnificent  ornament ,  nearly  8  inches  in  height,  and  6  inches  in  breadth, 
(20  by  15  centimetres,)  is  shaped  in  the  upper  portion  in  the  form  of  a 
double  horse-shoe,  carefully  worked  and  furnished  with  a  number  of 
hooks  destined  to  hold  other  moveable  pieces,  one  of  which  still  remains 
in  its  place.  "When  entire,  it  no  doubt  produced  musical  sounds  as  the 
Cazique  moved  amongst  his  followers,  and  probably  served  to  distinguish 
the  monarch.  The  workmanship  is  very  singular,  and  the  double  thread¬ 
beading  round  the  upper  portion  and  the  laurel  wreaths,  are  as  exquisitely 
finished  by  the  Indian  goldsmith  as  any  European  craftsman  could  have 
done,  and  stamps  the  artist  a  master  of  his  craft.  Mr.  Empson,  in  his 
“Observations,”  published  in  1838,  says  that  it  formed  the  breast-piece  of  an 
ancient  Cazique.  In  a  more  recent  publication  it  was  stated  that  he 
received  this  magnificent  relic  as  a  present  from  Bolivar,  and  that  it 
formed  a  portion  of  the  armour  of  the  famous  Montezuma. — See  Plate  IX. 

42  America.  A  Mexican  Gourd  Yase,  with  Paintings  in  various 

colours,  exhibiting  some  very  extraordinary  Bacchanalian 
scenes. 

A  very  interesting  object,  about  14  inches  high,  by  7  inches  in  diameter  (36  by 
18  centimetres).  The  pictures  must  have  been  made  after  the  Conquest 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


13 


of  Mexico  by  tbe  Spaniards,  as  the  native  artist  has  painted  on  this 
Gourd  curious  caricatures  of  his  abhorred  masters.  Mounted  in  ormolu, 
with  shade  and  stand. — See  Plate  X. 

43  America.  A  similar  Gourd  Vase,  with  Paintings  by  an  aboriginal 

artist  and  of  the  same  description. 

The  dimensions,  shade,  stand,  and  mounting  are  exactly  similar  to  the  pre¬ 
vious  Lot. 

44  America.  Curious  Figure  of  an  Idol,  in  a  sitting  posture,  with 

elbows  resting  on  the  knees,  in  hard  meteoric  stone,  of  remote 
antiquity,  extremely  rare ,  6  inches  high. 

According  to  Mr.  Empson’s  observations,  this  and  the  two  following  Lots  were 
dug  up  in  Guatemala. — See  Plate  XI. 

45  America.  A  similar  Figure,  of  a  different  type,  but  of  equal 

rarity,  5  inches  high. — See  Plate  XI. 

46  America.  Antique  Domestic  Altar,  or  a  similar  object,  of  elegant 

circular  form,  with  pendant  heads  of  four  animals,  surmounted 
by  a  border;  7  inches  in  height,  and  10  inches  in  diameter,  of 
extraordinary  interest  and  rarity ,  and  of  high  antiquity. 

A  very  curious  object,  fashioned  apparently  from  a  volcanic  product  of  coarse 
grain,  of  dark  grey  colour  and  extremely  hard.  It  was  found  in  the  grave 
of  a  person  who  must  have  been  one  of  consequence,  judging  from  the  orna¬ 
ments  of  great  value  also  discovered  therein.  The  workmanship  betrays 
the  hand  of  an  experienced  workman,  the  hollow  centre  and  the  opening, 
cut  from  the  surface,  indicating  the  decision  only  furnished  by  long  use  of 
the  tools.  The  border  and  the  heads  of  the  animals  pendant  therefrom 
are  cut  with  spirit,  and  the  proportions  are  beautiful.  As  an  ornamental 
stand  for  flowers,  it  is  worthy  of  a  place  amidst  the  finest  works  of  art. 
— See  Plate  XII. 

47  America.  A  very  curious  Bottle  in  Terra  Cotta,  with  handles, 

ornamented  with  raised  figures  of  strange  grotesque  form, 
and  of  the  highest  importance  for  the  history  of  Ceramic  Art. 

This  valuable  relic  was  dug  up  in  Guatemala,  and  presented  to  Mr.  Empson, 
but  did  not  reach  him  in  time  to  be  noticed  in  his  “  Observations.” 


Jiota  IBent.  The  whole  of  the  gold  ornaments  and  figures  forming  the 
Empson  Collection  ( described  in  the  present  Catalogue  from  Lot  25  to  Lot  41 
inclusive ),  are  enclosed  in  a  case ,  made  on  purpose  by  Mr.  Empson  in  his  life 
time.  The  same  box  contains  some  letters  and  additional  manuscript 
descriptions  relating  to  this  Collection,  tracing  the  origin  of  Lot  41  to 
Montezuma,  and  furnishing  information  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  the 
Empson  Collection  was  held  by  the  Society  of  Antiquaries. 


14  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


MOZARABIC  MANUSCRIPTS. 

jftota  16ene*  The  three  following  Numbers  (48,  49  and  50)  must 
be  considered  amongst  the  most  extraordinary  Manuscripts  still 
existing  both  on  account  of  the  caligraphy  and  drawing,  and  for 
the  state  of  hnoioledge  of  Arithmetic  and  of  the  Latin  Language 
in  certain  parts  of  the  Ancient  World  after  the  irruption  of  bar¬ 
barians  had  overturned  the  Roman  Empire.  As  far  as  we 
know  there  does  not  exist  any  similar  monument  in  any  one  of  the 
most  famous  libraries  of  Europe.  Instead  of  being  written  on 
parchment  or  vellum  like  most  of  the  ancient  Manuscripts  which 
have  come  down  to  us,  or  on  papyrus,  or  on  metal,  or  on  marble 
or  other  similar  substance,  these  Relics  are  inscribed  on  thick 
skins,  passably  shiny  and  slightly  coloured.  That  some  of  the 
ancients  wrote  upon  skins  we  know  from  history,  but  it  is  a  great 
phenomenon  to  find  manuscripts  written  thereon  in  the  Latin 
characters  and  language.  These  three  Lots  are  undoubtedly  of 
Mozarabic  origin,  and  date  back  to  the  period  of  the  first  inter¬ 
course  between  the  Visigoths  and  Moors,  when  the  peoples,  who  for 
State  purposes  were  compelled  to  use  the  Latin  language,  had 
almost  entirely  lost  the  knoivledge  of  it,  and  when  a  system  of 
arithmetic  was  used,  perhaps  of  Celtiberian  or  early  African 
origin,  now  utterly  unknown.  These  great  curiosities  ivere  for¬ 
merly  in  the  possession  of  an  eminent  English  bookseller,  to 
whom  they  were  consigned  from  abroad  ( Spain  it  is  believed),  as 
Aboriginal  Writings  from  Mexico,  but  have  certainly  no  connection 
with  that  country.  As  monuments  of  early  caligraphy  and  art, 
they  are  indeed  most  extraordinary ,  nothing  of  the  sort  having 
ever  been  offered  for  sale. 

48  Mozarabic  Letter  in  Latin  respecting  the  Escape  of  a  Pri¬ 
soner,  and  requesting  the  resumption  of  regular  intercourse  as 
before. 

This  Letter,  in  very  barbarous  Latin,  is  written  in  a  singular  mixture  of 
Merovingian,  Visigothic,  and  Uncial  hand- writings,  in  some  portion 
even  imitating  the  Latin  inscriptions  of  the  Vllth  Century,  as  will  be 
more  clearly  seen  by  inspecting  the  facsimile.  The  words  run  into  each 
other,  being  written  without  any  space  left  between.  It  is  written  on 
nearly  a  square  piece  of  skin  (10  inches  or  25  centimetres)  on  both  sides, 
having  the  ground  coloured  a  light  green,  with  numerous  small  spots  of  dif¬ 
ferent  colours,  intended  no  doubt  for  ornament.  The  borders  are  orna¬ 
mented  with  rude  drawings  in  brown,  that  at  the  bottom  exhibiting  a 
representation  of  a  battle  between  blacks  fighting  with  bows,  arrows,  &c., 
and  bearing  African  features.  Other  figures  (one  very  large,  of  a  musical 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


15 


performer)  may  be  seen  on  the  same  side  or  page  of  this  singular  docu¬ 
ment.  This  piece  of  leather  bears  evidence  of  having  been  hung  up  for 
some  purpose  or  other. 

The  letter  contained  in  this  piece  of  skin  begins  with  words  which 
by  the  name  of  El  Abiilcib,  shows  at  once  its  Arabic  origin  :  “  Moxerel- 
abulabnostraprigeniseiuspatermaterambulareaoceanus ,”  &c.  Towards  the  end 
we  read,  “  Negotiumemerevenderenostrapopulusspoliareareatum .” 

The  hand-writing,  judging  from  all  the  characters,  is  apparently  of  the 
Vllth  Century. — See  Peate  XIII. 

49  Mozarabic  Manuscript  Roll  exactly  of  the  same  kind  as  the 

previous  Lot,  the  only  difference  being  that,  instead  of  having  a 
square  form,  it  is  a  long  roll,  about  32  inches  long  by  4^-  inches 
wide  (82  centimetres  by  13).  The  contents  also  are  different, 
as  in  this  roll  we  find  a  Latin  vocabulary ,  containing  very 
curiously  selected  words ;  for  instance,  “  Pinus  .  .  .  voluptas 
.  . .  rex  .  .  .  albor,”  &c.  Some,  but  not  all,  of  the  marginal 
(exceedingly  rude)  delineations  being  allusive  to  the  words 
contained  in  the  vocabulary. 

In  all  probability  this  extraordinary  Manuscript  is  also  of  the  Vllth  Century. 

50  Mozarabic  Manuscript  Roll  like  the  two  previous  Lots,  but 

much  larger,  being  more  than  one  yard  in  length  by  almost  9 
inches  in  width  (1  metre  by  22  centimetres),  containing  also  a 
Latin  vocabulary,  which,  curiously  enough,  relates  almost 
exclusively  to  arithmetical  denominations,  and  which  (and  that 
is  the  most  interesting  point)  is  connected  with  an  arith¬ 
metical  system  quite  unknown  to  us ;  for  instance,  we 
find  in  this  rude  Manuscript,  “  Vis  (the  Spanish  pronunciation 
“  of  bis )  sexetviginti.  Unusetvissexetviginti.  Visseptemetvi- 

“  ginti.  Unusetvisseptemetviginti . Duoetteroctoetvi- 

“  ginti.  Ternovemetviginti.  Unusetterduoettringinta.  Duoet- 
“  terduoettriginta  .  .  .  &c.” 

The  margins  are  illustrated  with  rude  delineations  like  the  two  previous  Lots. 

This  extraordinary  Manuscript,  equally  important  for  the  study  of 
historical  ethnography,  as  for  the  histoi'y  of  Arithmetic ,  seems  of  the  same 
period  as  the  two  previous  Lots. 


51  HoRiE  Beat  a:  Marle  Yirginis,  cum  Calendario.  Manuscript 
ON  Vellum,  with  numerous  capital  letters,  illuminated  in  gold 
and  colours ,  by  a  French  Scribe  \2mo.  S^EC.  xiv — xv. 

This  pretty  manuscript,  re-covered  in  red  velvet,  is  inserted  into  an  ancient 
metal  binding  of  the  XV th  Century,  made  expressly  for  it.  The  biblio- 
pegistic  portion  is  of  Iron,  carved  and  perforated,  ornamented  with  animals 
and  foliage,  and  secured  by  clasps.  This  binding  is  one  of  the  most  pre- 


16  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


cious  of  early  French  workmanship  in  ornamental  iron,  of  which  specimens 
are  far  rarer  than  those  gorgeous  coverings  of  gilt  silver  and  enamel, 
adorned  with  precious  stones  and  cameos,  usually  termed  Byzantine. 

52  Foxe  (John),  Ecclesiasticall  Historie,  conteyning  the 

Acts  and  Monuments  of  Martyrs.  2  vols.  in  1,  wood- 
cuts,  black  letter,  bound  in  crimson  velvet,  gilt  edges,  and 
richly  ornamented  with  richly-chased  massive  silver  clasps 
(on  which  are  elegantly  carved  in  alto-relievo  a  full  length  of 
James  I,  and  a  St.  George  on  horseback  killing  the  Dragon), 
corners  and  centre  ornaments,  having  within  the  latter  (also 
worked  in  silver)  portraits  of  George  Abbot,  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  and  of  his  brother,  Robert  Abbot, 
Bishop  of  Salisbury,  both  with  the  date  of  1628. 

P.  Short,  1596. 

The  silver  ornaments  and  portraits  are  fine  specimens  of  chasing  in  England  in 
the  reign  of  Charles  /,  and,  if  any  reliance  can  be  placed  on  the  inscrip¬ 
tions,  must  have  been  executed  by  Drew  for  Archbishop  Laud,  then  Bishop 
of  London,  and  were  probably  intended  as  a  present  from  that  prelate  to 
his  metropolitan.  The  inscription  round  the  portrait  of  Archbishop  Abbot 
runs,  “  Gra.  .  Laud  .  Archiep  .  Cant  .  Acad  .  Canc  .  1628.”  This  at  a 
glance  might  be  mistaken  for  a  portrait  of  Laud  himself,  but  as  he  was 
not  raised  to  the  Archbishopric  until  1633,  that  is  impossible ;  and  the  only 
conclusion  we  can  come  to  is,  that  the  book  was  a  gift  from  W.  Laud,  then 
Bishop  of  London,  to  G.  Abbot,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  that  the 
inscription  was  intended  to  be  read,  “  Guilelmus  Laud,  Archiespiscopo 
Cantuariensi  Academije  Cancellario.”  The  legend  round  the  portrait 
of  Robert  Abbot,  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  who  died  in  1618,  is,  “D.  R. 
Episcopi  Sausbu  Epeig.  a  Dreu  1628”  ( Domini  Reverendi  Episcopi 
Sarusburiensis  Effigies  a  Drew).  This  portrait  closely  resembles  the  well- 
known  engraving  of  Bishop  Abbot,  by  Delaram,  and  certainly  could  not  be 
intended  for  a  likeness  of  John  Davenant,  Bishop  of  Salisbury  in  1628, 
whose  features,  as  given  in  engravings,  bear  not  the  least  resemblance.  The 
work  itself  wants  the  first  title,  and  has  several  leaves  mended.  It  will, 
therefore,  be  sold  not  subject  to  collation,  the  more  especially  as  the  silver 
oi’namentation,  being  the  principal  value,  the  work  itself  may  be  considered 
as  given  in. 

53  Breviarium  et  Commune  Sanctorum. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  in  Gothic  Letters,  with  ornamented 
Capitals  small  square  4:to.  Salc.  xiv — xv. 

This  precious  relic,  in  its  beautiful  and  rich  cover,  presents  us  with  one  of  the 
finest  specimens  of  ecclesiastical  binding  during  the  Middle  Ages.  The 
covering,  which  is  of  gilt  metal  (usually  termed  Byzantine),  with  orna¬ 
mental  rinceaux  of  surprising  richness  and  elegance,  is  adorned  with  36 
precious  stones  (32  turquoises ,  and  4  large  garnets ),  polished,  but  not 
cut,  (era  cabochon ,)  having  as  a  centre  an  elegant  plaque  of  sculptured  ivory. 
This  binding  (a  very  unusual  circumstance)  has  evidently  been  made 
purposely  for  the  Manuscript  at  the  end  of  the  XIVth  or  commencement 
of  the  XVtli  Century,  and  may  be  considered  as  beautiful  a  specimen  of 
goldsmith’s  ware,  as  ever  yet  has  been  offered  for  sale. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


17 


54  Legenda  Beatas  Mari2E  Virginis  cum  Sermonibus,  containing 

numerous  Quotations  from  the  Venerable  Bede  and  the  Fathers. 
Manuscript  on  Vellum  S,ec.  xi — xii. 

Lotharii  Cardinalis  Liber  de  Vilitate  Conditionis 
HuMANiE.  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  with  the  Scribe's  name, 
“  Per  manu9  Ortolfi  pistoris  de  Muerpga.”  S^EC.  xlv. 

De  Origine  Fratrum  Heremitarum  Ordinis  Beati  Au- 
gustini.  Manuscript  on  Vellum  Sa:c.  xiv. 

In  the  early  Byzantine  figured  metallic  binding,  adorned  with 
enamels,  gems,  and  precious  stones  in  one  vol,  4 to. 

Manuscripts  (changed  from  time  to  time  as  worn  out  by  daily  use)  in  early 
metal  bindings  are  of  the  rarest  occurrence;  and  so  beautiful  and  perfect  a 
specimen  of  the  bibliopegistic  art  of  the  Xllth  Century  must  be  seen  to  be 
duly  appreciated.  The  binding  consists  of  oak  boards  covered  with  red 
velvet,  having  the  front  side  (the  one  exposed  to  view  when  lying  on  the 
altar)  highly  adorned  with  a  border  of  ancient  enamels,  precious  stones, 
and  gems,  (amongst  which,  curiously  enough,  is  a  finely  cut  Leda  and  the 
Swan,)  as  usual,  four  large  rock  crystals,  shaped  like  eggs,  forming  the 
corners,  all  set  in  an  elegantly  ornamented  gilt  metal  frame.  In  the  centre 
are  two  angels  hovering  over  three  full-length  human  figures,  supported 
on  drapery  held  up  by  two  boys  kneeling,  executed  in  gilt  metal.  The 
whole  forms  an  admirable*example  of  early  Byzantine  ornamentation,  well 
worthy  of  a  place  in  the  choicest  cabinet. 

55  Officia  Sororum  Ordinis  Beati  Augustini. 

Very  beautiful  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  written  in  a  large 
hand,  with  the  Rubrics  in  red,  commencing  with  the  Service  for 
taking  the  Veil,  and  ending  with  the  Forms  of  various  Benedictions, 
inserted  in  a  much  more  ancient  Byzantine  binding  ( replacing 
in  the  XVth  Century  a  former  Service-book  of  a  similar  nature 
worn  out  by  long  use ,)  consisting  of  oak-boards,  covered  in  red 
velvet,  and  having  on  the  front  side  ( that  exposed  to  view  when 
lying  on  the  Altar)  a  very  ancient  and  elegant  gilt  metal  bas- 
relief,  representing  Jesus  Christ,  seated  on  the  Rainboiv,  ivith 
the  Terrestrial  Globe  at  his  feet,  and  surrounded  by  the  symbols 
of  the  four  Evangelists,  and  the  Lamb  bearing  the  Cross  with 
Flag,  the  letters  A  and  Cl  ( the  latter  by  mistake  of  the  artist 
figured  as  an  M)  being  pjlaced  one  on  each  side,  and  the  usual 
four  rock  crystals,  shaped  like  eggs,  forming  the  comer  orna¬ 
ments.  The  style  of  ornamentation  is  very  artistic,  and  in  a  very 
peculiar  style  4 to.  Sasc.  xv. 

This  splendid  specimen  of  early  Byzantine  binding  is  one  of  the  finest  ever  offered 
for  sale  in  a  genuine  state  ;  and  the  Manuscript  itself,  one  of  the  rarest 
of  Service-books,  is  highly  interesting,  not  only  on  account  of  its  calli¬ 
graphy  and  musical  notation,  but  as  containing,  towards  the  end,  a  Hymn 
in  Greek  ( written  in  Latin  letters ,  as  the  nuns  might  not  he  able  to  read  the 
origiml  characters )  commencing  “  Agios  o  Theos.” 

D 


18  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


56  Missale  cum  Notis  Musicis. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  written  in  a  fine  bold  hand  at  the 
end  of  the  XIVth,  or  at  the  commencement  of  the  XVth  Century , 
which  seems  to  have  replaced  an  earlier  ( destroyed  perhaps  by 
use),  as  the  magnificent  Byzantine  binding  is  an  admirable 
specimen  of  bibliopegistic  art  in  the  Xllth  Century 

folio.  S^C  xiv — xv. 

The  binding  (oak  boards  covered  with  pnrple  velvet)  is  gorgeously  decorated 
on  the  obverse  side,  according  to  the  early  custom  of  ornamenting  Church 
Service  Books  intended  to  attract  attention  when  laid  on  the  altar.  No 
expense  was  spared  for  the  purpose  ;  and  it  is  probably  to  the  use  of  gems 
and  precious  stones  that  the  extreme  rarity  of  a  perfect  specimen  is  to  be 
attributed :  for  many  a  gem  has  been  destroyed  for  the  sake  of  again 
using  the  ornamentations  for  what  was  considered  more  saleable.  The 
centre  of  the  present  binding  is  formed  of  metal,  on  which  are  repousse 
figures  of  Christ  between  Mary  and  St.  John,  with  the  symbols  of  the 
four  Evangelists  at  the  corners.  The  outer  border,  by  which  this 
centre  is  enclosed,  is  composed  of  ancient  enamels ,  gems ,  and  precious 
stones,  set  in  ornamentally  gilt  metal,  having  at  each  corner  a  very  large 
crystal  shaped  like  an  egg.  A  finer  specimen  of  Byzantine  binding  has 
probably  never  been  offered  for  sale. 

57  PSALTERIUM  DaVIDIS,  CUM  CANTICIS,  SyMBOLO  AtHANASII  ET 

Officio  Mortuorum. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  by  a  Spanish  scribe,  executed  in  large 
semi-uncial  letters,  with  elaborately  painted  Initials,  in  its  original 
magnificent  Byzantine  binding  in  gilt  metal,  ivith  cloisonne 
enamels,  ^c.  The  front-side  ( that  viewed  when  lying  on  the  altar) 
exhibiting  in  the  centre  a  very  large  full-length  figure  ( holding  a 
book),  boldly  cut  in  alto  relievo,  with  small  precious  stones  for 
eyes,  and  as  a  border,  on  each  side  a  small  carved  ivory  statuette 
( inscribed  Joad  and  Davi),  having  as  corner-pieces  at  top  two 
Saints  praying,  aud  at  bottom  symbols  of  two  Evangelists ,  the 
interstices  being  filled  with  cotemporary  enamels,  all  finished  in  a 
beautiful  style  on  gilt  copper  folio.  S^EC.  xi — xii. 

This  Extraordinary  Manuscript  exhibits  one  of  the  rarest  and  most  precious 
monuments  of  Spanish  art,  both  in  regard  to  caligraphy  and  binding. 
The  extreme  difficulty  of  finding  a  metal  binding  containing  a  coeval 
manuscript,  as  is  known  to  every  collector,  has  been  caused  by  the 
practice  of  the  monks  substituting  new  transcripts  of  their  Service  Books 
whenever  the  old  ones  began  to  get  worn  by  daily  use.  In  this  instance 
both  binding  and  writing  are  cotemporary,  the  former  having  been  exe¬ 
cuted  expressly  for  the  latter,  and  are  valuable  as  specimens  of  the  orna¬ 
mentation  adopted  by  the  Spanish  monks  in  the  Xlth  and  Xllth  Century 
for  Service-Books  destined  to  be  exhibited  as  altar  decorations  to  the 
faithful  in  the  house  of  God.  Whatever  may  be  the  scarcity  of  this  class 
of  binding  in  gilt  metal  (usually  termed  Byzantine,  but  which  formerly 
prevailed  in  all  Monasteries),  as  shown  by  the  very  high  price  the  few 
examples  of  various  countries,  when  brought  to  the  hammer,  have  pro¬ 
duced,  in  rarity  (it  may  be  safely  affirmed)  none  exceed  those  executed 
in  Spain. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


19 


58  Romance  Historic  Scriptores  Yarii  nempe  Justinus, 
Sallustius  et  Florus. 

Manuscript  on  vellum,  written  in  double  columns ,  about  the 
middle  of  the  XVth  Century,  apparently  by  a  French  scribe, 
with  the  initials  illuminated  in  gold  and  colours,  in  a  magnificent 
metal  binding  (usually  termed  ByzantineJ,  adorned  with  ancient 
intaglios,  CARVED  IVORY  PLAQUE,  PRECIOUS  STONES,  LlMOGES 
ENAMELS,  AND  ROCK  CRYSTALS,  much  older  than  the  Manu¬ 
script  itself  folio,  SiEC.  xv 

This  precious  Manuscript  exhibits  excellent  texts  of  the  authors  it  contains, 
and  would  furnish  to  a  new  editor  some  capital  various  readings  ;  as  a 
sample  of  which  it  is  only  necessary  to  point  out  the  passage  in  Justin, 
where  the  reign  of  Semiramis  is  reduced  to  thirty-two  years  after  the 
decease  of  Ninus,  instead  of  the  usual  forty-two,  thus  rendering  the  cause 
of  her  death,  as  related  by  the  historian,  less  incredible.  That  it  was 
certainly  written  in  France ,  and  by  a  French  scribe,  is  corroborated  by 
a  Latin  poem,  placed  before  Sallust,  in  which  France,  personified,  is 
represented  as  demanding  with  loud  outcries  that  peace  should  be  made. 
This  poem  (in  all  probability  the  composition  of  the  learned  transcriber  of 
the  classics  contained  in  the  volume)  makes  allusions  to  the  wars  with  the 
English,  and  to  (Xiccolo  ?)Piccinino,  as  very  recent  affairs,  from  whence 
may  be  fairly  inferred  that  the  volume  was  written  about  1450.  The 
Florus  commences  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  chapter  of  the  first  Book, 
and  ends  at  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  the  second  Book.  At  the  end  of 
the  Justin,  in  an  old  handwriting  of  the  XVth  Century,  stands,  “Ex  dono 

Henrici  Goessens . Ecclesise  Beghinarum,”  and  on 

fly-leaves,  written  in  the  XVI-XVIIth  Century,  “  Luc.  Annaeus  Florus.” 
Valuable,  however,  as  is  the  Manuscript  internally,  its  almost  inestimable 
value  is  greatly  increased  by  the  admirable  outward  covering  bestowed 
on  it  by  the  original  possessor,  who  has  enshrined  it  in  a  precious 
bibliopegistic  specimen  of  the  Xllth  Century,  either  because  the  original 
contents  had  perished,  or  because,  at  the  revival  of  Classical  literature, 
these  celebrated  Romish  historians  were  deemed  more  worthy  of  pre¬ 
servation.  This  beautiful  ancient  cover  (usually  termed  Byzantine)  is  of 
gilt  metal ,  enriched  with  ancient  Limoges  cloisonnes  enamels ,  admirable 
in  design  and  richness  of  colour.  The  metal  ornaments  are  composed  of 
laminae  of  very  delicate  foliage,  distributed  into  eight  compartments,  and 
each  containing  four  rubies  and  other  precious  stones  ( thirty-two  in  all), 
polished  but  not  cut  (en  cahochon ),  with  four  ancient  intaglios ,  and  having 
at  the  four  corners  four  beautiful  rock  crystals ,  also  en  cahochon.  In  the 
centre  there  is  an  elegant  plaque  of  sculptured  ivory ,  containing  a  repre¬ 
sentation  of  the  Crucifixion.  The  whole  is  in  perfect  preservation,  and 
the  style  of  the  ornamentation  is  exquisite.  The  enamels ,  the  goldsmith's 
workmanship,  and  the  ivory  sculpture,  seem  undoubtedly  of  the  Xllth 
Century,  the  arms  and  coats  of  mail  of  the  soldiers  belonging  to  that  age. 
This  covering,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  bindings  usually  termed 
Byzantine,  is  certainly  one  of  the  finest  ever  offered  for  sale,  and  is  very 
remarkable  as  ornamenting  a  Classical  manuscript,  instead  of  a  Church 
Service,  a  circumstance  of  very  extraordinary  occurrence.  The  artist 
whose  bibliopegistic  skill  has  decorated  the  volume,  would  appear,  like 
the  scribe,  to  have  been  a  native  of  France,  judging  from  the  enamels 
and  metal  workmanship,  and  has  certainly  succeeded  in  producing  what 
may  be  considered  as  a  Master-piece  of  French  Enameling  and 


20  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


Goldsmith’s  Wake.  The  volume  is  in  folio,  and  measures  lid.  inches 
(English)  in  height,  and  8  inches  in  width,  or  in  French  measures,  29 
centimetres  by  21. 


59  Anne  de  Bretagne.  Commemoration  et  Avertissement  de 
la  Mort  de  trescrestienne  treshaulte  trespuissante 

ET  TRESEXCELLANTE  PRINCESSE  MA  TRESDOUBTEE  ET  SOU- 
UERAINE  DAME  MADAME  AnNE  DEUX  FOIZ  RoYNE  DE 
FRANCE  DUCHESSE  DE  BRETAIGNE  SEULLE  HERETIERE 

.  DICELLE  NOBLE  DUCTIE  CONTESSE  DE  MONFORT  DE  RlCHE- 
MONT,  DESTAMPES  ET  DE  VERTUZ  ENSAIGNEMENT  DE  SA 
PROGENITURE.  Et  COMPLAINTE  QUE  FAICT  BRETAIGNE  SON 
PREMIER  HERAULT  ET  LUN  DE  SES  ROYS  DARMES,  composee 
( en  vers  et  en  prose )  par  Pierre  Choque,  Roi  LArmes  de 
Bretagne  et  un  des  Serviteurs  les  plus  devoues  de  la  Reine  defunte 
d'apres  les  Ordres  de  Louis  XII. 

Magnificent  Manuscript  on  Vellum  (of  which  a  large  por¬ 
tion  is  still  unpublished ,)  written  in  the  early  part  of  the  XVIth 
Century  (1514),  and  highly  ornamented  with  one  small  and  ten 
large  Miniatures  ( containing  numerous  full-length  portraits  of 
the  Queen  and  of  persons  as  arrayed  at  the  ceremonies ),  10  coats 
of  arms,  and  340  capital  letters ,  all  finely  illuminated 
IN  GOLD  AND  COLOURS,  superbly  bound ,  by  a  contemporary 
binder ,  in  black  morocco,  gilt  edges,  with  silver  clasps,  the  sides 
covered  with  exquisite  gold  tooling,  displaying  the  arms  of  France 
and  Brittany,  those  of  the  defunct  Queen, in  the  centre ,  surrounded 
zvith  elegant  ornamentations,  amongst  which  are  parsemes  crowned 
fleurs-de-lys,  ermine,  and  initials  A,  interspersed  with  tear-drops, 
the  same  ornaments  being  also  stamped  in  gold  on  the  back,  forming 
altogether  an  ADMIRABLE  SPECIMEN  of  the  bibliopegistic  skill  in 
France  in  the  early  part  of  the  XVIth  Century ,  preserved  in  a 
case  folio.  &EC.  xvi  (1514). 

This  admirable  and  precious  artistic  and  historical  Manuscript  con¬ 
tains  the  official  account  of  all  the  ceremonies  observed  at  the  funeral  of 
Anne  of  Brittany,  twice  Queen  of  France,  a  small  portion  of  which  only 
has  been  printed.  Although,  as  is  known,  a  few  transcripts  were  made 
at  the  time,  to  be  given  as  presents  to  crowned  heads,  at  present  no  other 
complete  copy  is  known,  those  in  the  Imperial  Library  at  Paris  being  not 
only  incomplete,  but  also,  as  is  reported,  in  a  bad  state,  as  is  another  copy, 
likewise  imperfect,  preserved  as  a  gem  in  the  Imperial  Library  at  the  Her¬ 
mitage,  in  Russia.  A  printed  description  of  this  Manuscript  (valued  at  the 
time  at  6000  francs),  by  M.  Le  Roux  de  Lincy,  is  prefixed,  from  which  it 
appears  that  a  portion  only  of  the  work  has  been  twice  published  ;  namely, 
first  in  1619,  by  T.  Godefroy  in  his  “  Ceremonial  de  France,”  and  secondly, 
in  a  small  duodecimo  volume  by  Merlet  and  De  Gombert,  at  Paris,  in 
1858.  The  Miniatures,  as  authentic  portraits  of  the  parties  represented, 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


21 


were  published  by  Father  Montfaucon,  and  inserted  by  him  in  volume  IV 
of  his  “  Monuments  de  la  Monarchie  Francaise."  A  Poem,  in  French,  at 
the  commencement,  contains  in  eighteen  full  pages  the  History  of  the 
Duchy  of  Britanny. — See  Plate  XV. 

60  Antoninvs  (S.  Archiepiscopus Florentinas')  de  Statu  Piuedicato- 

EUM  ET  INQUISITOEUM,  DE  PeELATIS,  DE  D1YEESIS  OFFI- 

ciis  seu  Dignitatibus  Ecclesle,  de  Potestate  Pap^e, 
de  Excommunicatione,  de  Inteedicto,  de  Indulgen- 

TIIS,  &C. 

Manusceipt  on  Vellum,  with  illuminated  Capitals , 

From  the  Library  of  the  Monastery  of  S.  Justina  at  Padua 

folio.  S.EC.  xv. 

61  Aenaldi  de  Nova  Villa,  novorum  Medicorum  peritissimi ,  Au- 

REOL^jl 

Manusceipt  on  Vellum  small  Uo.  S^;c.  xiv. 

By  one  of  the  most  celebrated  of  Chymists,  to  whom  is  attributed  the  discovery 
of  alcohol,  which  was  used  by  him  for  extracting  odours  and  medical 
properties  from  plants. 

62  Augustini  (B.)  Regula  cum  Expositione  venerabilis  Doctoris 

Sancti  Ugonis  de  Sancto  Victore,  Latine  et  Italice 
Unpublished  Manusceipt  on  Vellum,  dated  1440,  icith  the 
initial  letter  richly  illuminated  folio.  SiEC.  xv.  (1440) 

This  totally  unknown  Version,  in  good  old  Italian,  has  for  a  colophon,  “  Scripta 
anno  dominice  incarnationis  milesimo  quadrigentesimo  quadragesimo .”  On 
the  same  page,  in  a  later  hand  of  the  XVth  Century,  follows  “  Ordo  ad 
chrismandum  pueros." 

63  Augustini  (S.)  Libee  Exoetacionis 

Manusceipt  on  Vellum  small  \to.  S.ec.  xi. 

At  the  end  is  a  vellum  leaf  taken  from  a  Manuscript  of  the  IXth  or  Xth 
Century,  containing  Fabula  Midse,  Minervas  et  Scyllte. 

64  Aueillac.  Aeticle  de  las  Enquestas  de  la  Patz.  A  la 

Honor  de  Dieu  lo  paire  omnipoten  e  del  filh  e  del  S.  esperit  e 
de  nostra  dona  Virgis  Sancta  Maria  e  de  mosenhor  S.  G[eraud]. 
cofessor  e  de  tota  la  cort  celestial  per  patz  aver  e  tener  e  per 
honor,  e  per  tranquillitat,  e  per  avras,  e  per  tos  temps  e  la  vila 
daorlhac  nos  Estacha  de  beu  merchiet  ....  arbitra,  &c.,  &c. 
Aeticles  de  la  Paix  faite  entee  les  Consuls  et  la 
Commune  d’ Aueillac  d’une  Paet  et  l’Abbaye  de 
Saint-Geeaud  de  la  meme  ville  d’autee  Paet 
Manusceipt  on  Vellum,  in  the  Dialect  of  Auveegne, 
in  the  original  oak  boards  folio.  Sauc.  xiii. 

An  important  and  very  curious  Manuscript,  which  is  precious  not  only  as  a 
specimen  of  the  Auvergne  dialect ,  in  the  XIHth  Century  (in  which  will 
be  recognized  all  the  elements  of  the  Langue  dOc ),  showing  how  greatly 
it  has  been  altered  by  the  modern  Auvergnats;  but  also  for  the  history 


22  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

of  the  Province  of  Auvergne.  The  town  of  Aurillac,  in  the  Xlllth  Cen¬ 
tury,  enjoyed  all  the  liberties  and  franchises  of  Commonalty  under  duly 
elected  Consuls.  The  Abbot  of  Saint-Geraud,  as  Lord  Proprietor  of  the 
City,  seems  to  have  resorted  to  various  means  to  become  paramount 
master  by  restraining  the  jurisdiction  of  the  consuls  and  interfering  with 
the  common  rights  of  the  inhabitants.  From  this  conduct  grave  disputes 
arose,  and  the  quarrel  grew  to  such  a  pitch  that  arbitration  became 
necessary.  The  arbitrator  chosen  was  the  noble  Baron  Eustache  de  Beau¬ 
marchais  who,  about  1280,  dictated  this  Treaty  of  Peace.  This  award, 
directing  every  new  Abbot  to  swear  to  maintain  the  privileges  of  the 
Commonalty,  seems  to  have  been  too  loosely  worded,  for  new  disputes 
arose,  and  recourse  was  had  to  Guillaume  Dachilhoras,  Bailli  des  Mon- 
tagnes  d’Auvergnes,  who,  in  1298,  with  the  assistance  of  the  learned  in  the 
law,  settled  the  position  of  the  contending  parties.  This  Charter,  likewise  in 
the  Auvergne  dialect,  is  also  contained  in  this  volume.  Besides  the  docu¬ 
ments  relating  to  Aurillac  there  is  also  a  very  curious  work  on  Farriery 
by  Jeu  Tederic,  Confessor  to  Pope  Honorius  IY  (1285-87),  and  Recipes 
for  preserving,  rectifying,  and  ameliorating  wines,  both  in  the  Auvergne 
dialect.  This  truly  precious  Manuscript  was  priced  1000  francs  (<£40) 
in  a  Catalogue  from  which  it  was  bought  by  the  last  owner. 

65  Benoit  de  Sainte-Maure,  Le  Romans  de  Troye.  Poeme 

inedit  en  vieux  Frar^ais. 

Unpublished  Manuscript  on  Yellum,  ivritten  in  double 
columns  by  a  Norman  scribe ,  green  morocco,  super  extra,  orna¬ 
mented  with  blind  tooling  in  the  antique  style,  folio.  SiEC.  xii. 

This  precious  manuscript,  slightly  imperfect  at  beginning  and  end,  com¬ 
mences  with  a  speech  of  Jason  to  Medea,  and  ends  with  an  account  of  the 
Greeks  wishing  to  embark  after  the  destruction  of  Troy,  but  retarded  by 
bad  weather, — thus  : 

“  Li  vertz  et  li  noirs  tens  felons 
Cil  qui  despoille  les  boissons 

showing  that  the  volume  not  only  contains  the  whole  of  the  siege  and 
taking  of  Troy,  but  also  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Conquest  of  the 
Golden  Fleece.  The  author  of  this  metrical  romance,  Benoit  de  Sainte- 
Maure,  was  a  Champenois  poet,  who  lived  in  the  Xllth  Century.  Manu¬ 
scripts  of  this  work  are  of  the  greatest  rarity. 

66  Bible  (La),  contenant  les  Livres  historiques  de  l’Ancien 

Testament,  traduite  en  Francjais  au  XIP  Siecle. 
Superb  Manuscript  on  Yellum,  written  by  a  French  scribe, 
in  double  columns,  and  adorned  with  Twenty  Miniatures, 
elegantly  painted  in  vivid  colours,  on  a  full  gold  bach-ground,  by 
no  mean  artist  ( apparently  of  the  school  termed  Saint-Louis ), 
having  numerous  elegantly -flourished  capitals  executed  in  red 
and  blue  inks,  black  morocco,  gilt  edges,  with  silver  clasps 

folio.  S^EC.  xiii. 

This  magnificent  manuscript  exhibits  a  translation  of  the  Bible  totally  un¬ 
known,  and  hitherto  unpublished.  The  version  is  a  very  important  specimen 
ol  the  language  (la  Langue  Romane)  of  the  Xllth  Century,  and  to  the 
etymologist  offers  a  rich  harvest.  Only  the  Books  of  Genesis,  Exodus, 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


23 


Numbers,  and  Joshua,  have  marginal  Notes.  The  rest,  being  without, 
have  apparently  been  translated  by  another  party,  who  has  prefixed  to  his 
labours  a  metrical  preface  in  148  lines,  wherein  he  cites, 


“  Maistre  Rich  art  et  Frere  Othon 
En  cele  sainte  fraerie,” 

who  probably  may  have  paraphrased  the  earlier  books. 

The  beautiful  Miniatures,  highly  valuable  as  specimens  of  early  French  art,  are 
as  follows : 

I.  A  Saint  writing  from  the  Dictation  of  a  Monk. 


II. — VIII.  Representations  of  the  Creation  and  Day  of  Rest. 
IX.  Exodus  of  the  Jewish  Nation  led  by  Moses. 

X.  Offering  of  the  Yearling  to  the  God  of  Israel. 

XI.  God  ordering  Joshua  to  cross  the  Jordan. 


XII. 

XIII. 

XIV. 
XV. 

XVL 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 


The  Jews  imploring  God  for  a  Leader  against  the  Canaanites. 
The  Wife  of  Alcana  offering  up  her  Vow  for  a  Son. 

David  ordering  the  Execution  of  Saul’s  Murderer. 

David  anointed  King. 

Abishag  presented  to  David. 

Elias  taken  up  to  Heaven  in  the  presence  of  Elisha. 

Siege  of  Jerusalem  by  Antiochus. 

Tobit’s  Dream. 

Judith  decapitating  Ilolofernes. 


A  full  description  of  this  really  splendid  volume,  taken  from  a  Catalogue 
wherein  it  was  priced  3,500  francs,  is  prefixed.  It  is  quite  perfect,  with  the 
exception  of  two  leaves  deficient  at  the  commencement  of  the  Book  of 
Macabees. — See  Plate  XV. 


67  Bible  Teaduite  en  vieux  Feancais,  ayec  L’Exposition. 

Unpublished  Manusceipt  on  Vellum,  finely  ivritten ,  with 
Capitals  illuminated  in  gold  and  colours,  in  oak  boards  covered 
with  stamped  pigskin,  on  which  the  date  of  1542  is  impressed, 
with  clasps  folio.  SiEC.  xv. 

French  Biblical  manuscripts  are  of  extraordinary  rarity.  The  present,  unfor¬ 
tunately  wanting  the  first  leaf,  formerly  belonged  to  the  Convent  of  Notre 
Dame  des  Carmes  at  Monstreul,  and  has  the  following  inscription  on  the 
fly  leaf : — “  Donne  toy  garde  de  retenir  ce  volume  si  tu  le  trouve  hors  la 
maison  et  couvent  de  nostre  Dame  des  Carmes  de  Monstroeul  en  Picardie 
sur  peine  dexcommunieation  et  d'estre  eprouve  larron  de  nostre  Dieu.  Rente 
et  on  te  donnera  le  vin .” 

68  Boenio  de  Sala  (Domenico)  Discoeso  Politico  a  Boeso 

Duca  di  Modena. 

Manusceipt  on  Vellum,  with  the  initial  letter  richly  illuminated 
in  gold  and  colours,  from  the  Carthusian  Monastery  of  St. 
Christopher,  near  Ferrara  4do.  SA3C.  xv. 

These  highly-interesting  and  hitherto  unpublished  letters  on  the  “  Duties  of  a 
Prince,”  were  probably  addressed  to  Borso  d’Este,  Duke  of  Modena, 
whilst  Bornio  was  in  Ferarra  as  Ambassador  sent  from  Bologna  to  treat 
for  peace  with  that  Prince.  Amongst  the  authorities  cited,  is  an  entire 
Sonnet  from  Petrai’ch,  slightly  altered,  and  in  which  Bornio  has  introduced 


24  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

his  own  name.  The  author,  an  eminent,  jurist,  was  one  of  the  Professors 
and  Regents  of  the  University  of  Bologna,  where  he  died  in  1477.  He 
was  a  great  friend  of  Philelphus,  and  of  Pope  Pius  II. 

69  Brunetto  Latini  (. Maestro  di  Dante),  II  Tesoro. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  but  unfortunately  wanting  a  leaf  or 
two  at  end,  in  the  original  wooden  boards,  covered  with  leather, 
and  protected  by  brass  bosses  folio.  Saec.  xiv. 

From  the  conclusion  of  the  first  chapter,  it  appears  certain  that  this  Cyclopaedia 
was  originally  written  in  French  for  reasons  assigned  by  Brunetto 
Latini,  and  that  the  Italian  version  was  made  by  Bono  Gianboni.  Manu¬ 
scripts  of  this  work  are  continually  referred  to,  as  only  abridgments  of 
it  have  been  published,  but  are  of  extraordinary  rarity,  the  few  known 
being  locked  up  in  public  libraries.  On  the  fly-leaf  are  several  Sonnets 
of  Petrarca  (spelt  “Franciescho  Petracchi  ”),  written  in  long  lines  (two 
consecutive  on  the  same  line),  shewing  the  indubitable  antiquity  of  the 
Manuscript. 

70  Christine  de  Pisan,  Melibee,  Poeme  inedit  en  yieux 

Francais. 

Fine  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  in  double  columns,  but  unfor¬ 
tunately  wanting  at  commencement  two  leaves  and  a  portion  of 
the  third  folio.  SiEC.  xiv. 

71  Corpus  Historiarum  (a  Tempore  Caroll  Magni  usque  ad 

Phillippum  II),  ex  Sygeberto,  Turpino  aliisque  in  unum 
congestum.  Accedunt  Flores  Hugonis  de  Sancto  Victore, 
Hugonis  de  Folieto,  S.  Bernardi,  et  Helynandi. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  with  initial  finely  illuminated  in  gold 
and  colours  folio.  Sasc.  xiv — xv. 

This  important  Chronicle  commences  with  “  Sygebertus  de  Imperio  Karoli 
Magni  et  Forma  ejus  ac  Robore,”  and  contains  the  lives  of  the  various 
Emperors  and  Kings,  ending  with  Philip  II.  of  France,  extracted  from 
various  authorities,  but  made  to  read  continuously.  That  of  Charlemagne 
reads  like  a  Romance  of  Chivalry,  in  which  his  deeds  are  alternately 
narrated  by  Sigebert,  Archbishop  Turpin,  and  Helynand.  It  is  a  most 
important  Manuscript  for  English  History,  as  it  contains  not  only  the  deeds 
of  Alfred  the  Great  and  other  Monarchs,  but  also  the  lives  of  Saints  and 
learned  Abbots,  Monks,  &c.,  in  British  Monasteries.  A  portion  of  two 
leaves  has,  unfortunately,  been  destroyed. 

72  Dante  Aldighieri  Venti  Canzoni  et  sei  Sonecti.  Seguita 

una  Canzone  del  decto  Dante  in  Francioso  per  lettera  e  vol- 
gliese.  Canzoni  in  laude  della  S.  Catherina  et  della  S.  Mag¬ 
dalena.  Il  Credo,  Pater  Noster  et  Ave  Maria.  Altri  Can¬ 
zoni  di  Dante.  Petrarca  (Francescho)  Li  Trionfi. 

Manuscript  on  V ellum,  finely  written  by  an  Italian  scribe  in 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


25 


1427,  with  capitals  richly  illuminated  in  gold  and  colours,  green 
morocco  4 to.  Ssc.  xv.  (1427) 

This  beautiful  Manuscript,  containing  the  Canzoni  and  Credo  of  Dante,  is 
worthy  of  a  place  in  any  library.  Manuscripts  of  the  Divina  Commedia 
have  often  occurred  for  sale,  but,  as  is  well  known,  those  containing  the 
Canzoni,  and  especially  the  Credo,  are  of  the  greatest  rarity.  The  Sonnet 
written  by  Dante  in  three  Languages  ( French ,  Italian ,  and  Latin,)  is  of 
the  utmost  scarcity  in  Manuscript.  From  the  following  colophon  to  the 
Petrarca,  this  Manuscript  appears  to  have  been  written  by  a  scribe  in 
the  Debtors’  Prison  (le  Stinche)  at  Florence  : — “  Questi  sono  li  trionfi  de 
Mes.  Francescho  Petraca  (sic)  finiti  p  S.  Gabriele  di  francescho  da  parma 
ora  in  le  stinche  di  firence  a  dio  di  magio  1427.” 

73  Dominis  (Marcl  Antonii  d e,  Archiepiscopi  Spalatensis )  de  Pace 

Religionis,  Epistola  ad  Josephum  Hallum  Archipresbyterum 
Wigorniensem.  Estratto  d’  una  Littera  dell’  Archivescovo  di 
Spalatto  all’  Illmo  Conto  de  Gondomar,  1622.  Alhe  Epistolae 
Archiepiscopi  Spalatensis.  Responsum  J.  Hall.  Epistola 
Tho.  Covent,  et  Lichf.  ( written  by  Bishop  Morton,  and  ap¬ 
parently  unedited.) 

Contemporary  Manuscript  on  Paper,  by  an  English 
Scribe  4 to.  Ssc.  xvii. 

An  important  and  very  valuable  Collection  of  Letters  written  by,  or  to  the 
celebrated  Archbishop  M.  A.  de  Dominis,  an  illustrious  Martyr  of  the 
Inquisition.  An  exactly  similar  Manuscript  sold  for  £29  at  these  Booms, 
on  30th  March,  1859. 

74  Empedoclis  Inerrantium  Stellarum  Sphsra  et  Ejusdem 

Planetarum  Sphaera  ( Carmen  ineditum)  Grsce.  Acce- 
dit  Hermle  Philosophi  Scholia  in  Phaedrum  Platonis, 
Greece. 

A  VERY  VALUABLE  MANUSCRIPT  ON  PAPER  folio.  SsC.  XV. 

The  rarity  of  Greek  Classical  Manuscripts  is  too  well  known  to  require  any 
comment. 

75  Euclidis  Geometrle  Libri  xiii  et  Hypsiclis  Libri  ii, 

Arabice, 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  with  Diagrams  folio.  Ssc.  xv. 

76  Eusebius  (S.j  de  Corpore  Christi. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  with  Musical  Notations  (Neumes) 
on  the  last  page,  purple  morocco  4 to.  Ssc.  xi — xii. 

77  Eusebii,  Caesariensis  Episcopi,  Historle  Ecclesiastics 

Libri  ni,  Rufino  Presbytero  Interprete. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  with  painted  capitals,  written  in  a  very 
bold  hand  in  the  Monastery  of“  S.  Petri  in  Augia  Minori” 

folio.  Ssc.  xiv. 

This  fine  and  important  Manuscript,  written  in  long  lines,  is  apparently  very 

E 


26  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

correct  Although  Rufinus  professedly  translated  the  Ecclesiastical 
History  of  Eusebius,  yet,  by  changes  and  considerable  variations,  he  has 
made  it  almost  a  new  work,  adding  the  Xth  and  Xlth  Books,  which  are 
entirely  his  own  composition.  Manuscripts  of  this  History  are  scarce. 

78  Evangiles  des  Domees  (Dimanches).  Traduction  et  Commen- 

taires  (en  Vers)  des  Evangiles  des  Dimanches  et  Fetes. 

Poeme  en  Vieux  FKAN9AIS  Inedit. 

Unpublished  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  written  in  double 
columns  by  a  Norman  scribe,  in  the  original  oak  boards,  preserved 
in  a  case,  half  morocco,  lettered  4 to.  S^EC.  xii. 

A  volume  of  extraordinary  interest ,  which,  according  to  the  description  of  it  by 
the  celebrated  M.  Paulin  Paris, prefixed,  ought  to  be  considered  also  a  very 
great  rarity,  as  no  copy  of  the  work  exists  in  the  Imperial  Library  at  Paris, 
so  rich  in  Manuscripts  of  early  French  poetry,  thanks  to  the  indefatigable 
curators,  who  have  spared  neither  pains  nor  expense  to  render  the  col¬ 
lection  as  complete  as  possible.  Written  in  the  Xllth  Century,  it  presents 
us  with  an  indubitable  specimen  of  the  language  as  written  and  spoken  in 
Normandy  at  that  period.  This  Manuscript  was  lately  marked,  as  a  bar¬ 
gain,  2,400  francs. 

79  Gersonis  (.Toannis,  Cancellarii  Academia.  Parisiensis )  Duo  Psal- 

teria  et  Expositio  super  Threnos  Jeremle.  Item 
Distinctiones  super  Psalterium. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  elegantly  written,  with  numerous 
ornamental  capitals ,  finely  flourished  in  red  and  blue  inks,  the 
initial  being  illuminated  in  gold  and  colours  folio.  S-EC.  xiv. 

80  Grammatices  Latinje  Linguae  Principia 

Fine  Manuscipt  on  Italian  Vellum,  with  the  name  of  the 
scribe,  (i  Ego  Nicolaus  Sextius  transcripsi,”  having  the  first 
page  illuminated  in  gold  and  colours,  but  the  arms  of  the  original 
owner  ( probably  Lorenzo  de  Medicis)  erased,  in  the  original 
Medician  stamped  binding  4to.  S^EC.  xv. 

81  Guillermi  Cardinalis  Rothomagensis  Publicum  Instrumentum 

pro  ordine  Fratrum  Heremitarum  S.  Augustini,  cum  Litteris 
Apostolicis  Sixti  IV,  Pauli  II,  et  Nicolai  V. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  ivith  twelve  Miniature  Portraits 
OF  Popes  executed  in  gold  and  colours. 

The  Official  Copy  that  belonged  to  Pope  Sixtus  IV,  having 
his  arms,  as  well  as  those  of  Cardinal  de  Rouen,  richly  illumi¬ 
nated  in  gold  and  colours  on  the  first  page,  and  having  the  Notarial 
Declarations  ivith  their  Devices  at  end  small  4to.  SiEC.  xv. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


27 


82  Hieronimi  (Beati)  Expositio  in  Ecclesiasten. 

Beautiful  Manuscript  on  Vellum ,  from  the  Library  of  the 
Monastery  “  Sancti  Martini  de  Tornaco”  folio.  SiEC.  xi — xii. 

83  Hieronimi  (Beati)  Epistolae. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  with  several  Greeh  quotations  in  Greek 
Characters,  with  the  Latin  pronunciation  written  over  ;  a  beauti¬ 
ful  specimen  of  early  caliyraphy  Mo.  Saec.  xi. 

A  venerable  Manuscript.  At  the  end,  in  a  much  later  hand- writing,  is  a  Recipe 
for  sore  eyes  dated  “  Moguncie  1439.” 


84  Hystoire  de  Troye  la  Grant  (Roman  de  Chevalerie). 

Fine  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  written  in  a  neat  cursive  hand, 
in  double  columns,  by  a  French  scribe,  splendidly  bound  in  oak 
boards,  covered  with  yreen  morocco,  blind-tooled,  yilt  edges,  by 
Thompson ,  in  the  old  style  folio.  Saec.  xv. 

This  extremely  precious  Manuscript  comprises — 1.  The  Historj'  of  Ninus  and 
the  other  Assyrian  Kings  ;  2.  The  Destruction  of  Thebes  with  the  Story 
of  (Edipus  ;  3.  The  History  of  Hercules  and  Theseus ;  and  4.  The  History  of 
Troy,  which,  commencing  with  the  Taking  of  the  Golden  Fleece,  proceeds 
to  relate  its  first  Destruction  by  Hercules,  and  concludes  with  its  Siege  and 
final  Ruin  by  the  Greeks.  The  Trojans  and  Greeks  are,  however,  trans¬ 
formed  into  Palaclins ,  and  the  Heroes  and  Heroines  exhibit  all  the  manners 
and  customs  of  the  Middle  Ages,  for  even  the  Horse  of  Hector  is  said  to  be 
the  gift  of  the  Fairy  Morgana.  The  pages  are  filled  with  descriptions  of 
helmets  and  coats  of  mail,  jousts  with  the  lance,  and  single  combats  with 
the  sword,  the  Ladies  of  Troy,  like  the  Heroines  of  the  Tournaments, 
standing  at  their  windows  to  witness  the  marvellous  deeds  of  chivalry  dis¬ 
played  by  Greeks  and  Trojans  influenced  by  the  eyes  of  their  lady-loves. 
Change  but  the  names  to  Amadis  or  Tristan,  or  any  hero  of  the  Round 
Table,  and  the  Romance  of  Chivalry  would  indeed  be  perfect. 

85  Inquisizione.  Scritture  risguardanti  il  Tribunal  del  Santo  Officio. 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  written  about  1740  folio.  Saec.  xviii. 

86  Jami  (Abd-al-Rhaman-ben- Ahmed,  surnamed  from  Birth-place). 

Yusuf-wa-Zuleikha,  or  the  Loves  of  Joseph  and  Potiphar’s 
Wife,  a  Poem  in  Persian 

Splendid  Manuscript,  beautifully  written  in  the  Nastalik 
characters,  in  double  columns,  within  borders  of  gold,  having  an 
illuminated  anwan  at  commencement,  and  adorned  with  31  paint¬ 
ings  of  the  principal  events  narrated  in  the  story,  executed  by  a 
Persian  artist  in  vivid  colours,  heightened  with  gold,  in  the 
Oriental  binding,  stamped  with  gilding  small  folio.  SvEC.  xviii. 

This  Poem,  by  Persians,  is  considered  a  master-piece. 


28  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

87  Johannis  Chrysostomi  (S.)  Opera  varia,  Grace 

Manuscript  on  Cotton  Paper,  in  the  original  oak-boards , 
covered  with  leather  Ato.  SiEC.  xiii. 

This  fine  Manuscript  contains  several  of  the  Homilies,  which  very  rarely  occur. 

88  Joannis  (S.)  Evangelium.  Accedunt  Epistol^e  septem 

Canonize.  Cum  Glossis  et  Notis  marginalibus 
Manuscript  on  Vellum,  written  in  a  fine  bold  hand 

folio.  S^EC.  xiii. 

89  Jobi  Liber  (wants part  of  Prologus). — Liber  Sapientia  Salomonis. — 

Liber  Jesu  Filii  Sirach  Ecclesiasticus  dictus. — Anonymi  (Cas- 
siodori  ?)  Sermo  (commencing  “  O  casta  et  munda  solitudo, 
sedis  pads ,”  8fc.) — Versus  de  Animalibus  (commencing  “  Hie 
serpens  ventis  pernicior  atque  sagittis .”) 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  a  fine  specimen  of  early  caligraphy 

Ato.  Saec.  ix. 

The  extraordinary  rarity  of  Biblical  Manuscripts  of  the  IXth  Century  is 
well  known  to  collectors. 

90  Johannis  et  Basilii  Episcoporum  Dialogus. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum  Ato.  Sa:c.  x. 

This  venerable  Manuscript  of  S.  Joannes  Chrysostomus  de  Sacerdotio  formerly 
belonged  to  the  Monastery  of  St.  Pantaleo  at  Cologne. 

91  Leibnitz  (G.  G.)  Epistolas  autographs.  A  Collection  of 

twenty-two  unpublished  Autograph  Letters  addressed  by  the 
celebrated  Philosopher  Leibnitz  to  the  almost  equally  renowned 
Theologian  Professor  Schmidt ,  Doctor  of  Divinity  at  Helmstadt, 
several  with  the  seal  various  sizes.  1697 — 1706. 

92  Leone  X.  Bilanci  e  Conti  ed  altre  Partite  attenenti  a  Leone  X 

ed  all’  Arcivescovo  di  Firenze  a  Tempo  di  Giulio  de  Medici, 
1517—18. 

Twenty -one  original  Documents,  on  Paper,  of  the 

HIGHEST  IMPORTANCE  TO  THE  HISTORIAN,  WITH  THE 

Official  Signatures,  containing  many  curious  details  of  the 
Income  and  Expenditure  of  this  celebrated  Pontiff 

folio.  Ssc.  xvi. 

These  important  documents,  totally  unknown  to  Mr.  Roscoe,  and  all  the  other 
biographers  of  Leo  X,  throw  much  light,  not  only  on  whence  the  Papal 
Revenues  were  derived,  but  also  on  the  venality  of  the  Court  of  Rome,  for 
we  here  discover  that  the  Pope’s  own  Physician,  Ferrando  de  Aragona,  had 
to  pay  for  his  place  “  Ufitio  d' Abbreviatoria  de  Minori ,”  2250  ducats,  and 
Baldassare  da  Pescia  6000  ducats  for  a  “  Segretariato.”  In  fact,  the 
gratuities  given  for  various  offices  are  truly  curious.  Amongst  the  pay¬ 
ments  are  2000  ducati  (loro  on  account  of  4000  to  Cardinal  Campeggio  for 
his  Legation  to  England ;  256  ducati  to  Frate  Nicolo  de  la  Magna  for 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


29 


his  journey  to  England  ;  300  ducati  to  the  famous  poet  Giovanni  Rucellai 
for  his  yearly  salary  ;  and  various  sums  to  the  Strozzi,  Fuggers,  and  other 
historical  names.  Three  of  the  most  important  entries  occur  in  March 
1518,  recorded  thus: — “Pagati  a  Raffael  da  Urbino  per  Azzuri 

PER  EA  LOGGIA,  DuCATI  100.” - “  PAGATI  AL  DETTO  PER  CONTO  DEL 

Opere  di  detto  Lavoro,  Ducati  32.” — “Pagati  a  Raffael  d’Urbino 
per  l’Opere  della  Loggia,  Ducati  32 ;  ”  shewing  that  the  immortal 
Artist  from  a  Pope,  deemed  a  magnificent  Patron  of  Art,  received  only  the 
paltry  sum  of  164  ducats  for  his  world-known  adornment  of  the  Vatican 
Loggia,  whilst  in  the  same  document  we  find  recorded  as  gifts,  “  100  ducati 
per  darla  manciadi  Cantori  per  la  festa  della  incoronatione ,”  and  100  ducats 
as  a  reward  to  the  courier,  and  150  ducats  to  the  Frenchman  who  brought 
the  news  from  France  of  the  birth  of  the  king’s  son.  Amongst  the  liabilities 
is  the  sum  of  3000  Ducati  payable  to  Andrea  Petrini  if  His  Holiness  failed 
to  bestow  upon  him  the  first  vacant  Secretaryship.  The  prices  paid  for 
Perle,  JBocali  <T  Oro ,  Smeraldi ,  Taffeta ,  Velluto ,  &c.  &c.  are  all  recorded 
in  these  important  papers,  which,  to  a  biographer  wishing  to  enter  more 
deeply  into  the  private  life  of  Leo  X,  would  prove  almost  invaluable. 

93  Lethberti,  Canonici  Insulensis  postmodum  S.  Rufi  Abbatis, 

Flores  Psalmoeum. 

Unpublished  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  a  beautiful  specimen 
of  early  caligraphy ,  with  the  date  ivhen  written  (1285) 

folio.  S^EC.  xiii. 

Abbot  Lethbert,  by  Bale  and  Pits,  is  mentioned  as  having  lived  in  1210, 
but  as  his  Work,  in  1102,  was  sent  by  Walter  de  Insulis,  Bishop  of 
Magalona,  to  Robert  de  Insulis  (see  his  Letter,  published  in  Mabillon’s 
“  Analecta  ”)  this  is  clearly  a  mistake,  as  is  also  proved  by  the  Authors 
of  the  “  Histoire  Litteraire  de  France,”  Tome  ix.  p.  577,  where  it  is 
stated  that  he  probably  died  in  1101.  Oudin  and  Fabricius  mention 
this  Work  as  only  in  manuscript.  Early  dated  Manuscripts  are  extremely 
rare. 

94  Lionardo  [Bruni]  Aretino  Libro  de  primo  Bello  Punico  composto 

in  Latino,  volgarizato  poi  da  lui  per  uno  suo  Amico. 

Manuscript  on  pure  Vellum,  with  the  capitals  finely  illu¬ 
minated  in  gold  and  COLOURS,  in  the  original  oak  boards , 
covered  with  stamped  leather  Ato.  SiEC.  xv. 

95  Liturgia  Ecclesle  Armenic2E,  Armenice. 

Manuscript  on  Cotton  Paper,  in  the  original  Oriental  bind¬ 
ing  in  oak  boards,  covered  with  leather,  having  the  figure  of  a 
cross  stamped  on  the  obverse  cover  Ato.  S^EC.  xiii. 

Early  Armenian  Manuscripts  are  of  excessive  rarity. 

96  Livil  (Titi)  Perbrevis  Summa  de  Romanorum  illustrium  Gestis. 

Manuscript  on  Paper  Ato.  S.ec.  xv 

97  Mahommed  Al-Ivoran.  The  Koran  in  Arabic. 

Magnificent  Manuscript  on  Oriental  Paper,  ivritten  in 
Africa,  in  the  year  of  the  Hegira  975,  for  Abdu- Shah-Ben- 


30  THE  LIBRE  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

Moliammed-Al-TIussani,  Emperor  OF  Morocco,  in  the  best 
style  of  caligraphy  ;  every  page  exquisitely  ornamented  with  beau¬ 
tiful  arabesques,  richly  executed  in  gold  and  colours;  many  of  them 
truly  imperial  and,  especially  those  on  the  last  leaves  of  the  volume, 
rivalling  the  ornamentations  so  justly  admired  in  the  Alhambra. 
All  the  intitulations  and  the  characters  in  the  marginal  paintings 
are  in  Cufic  capitals,  elegantly  emblazoned  ivith  gold,  forming 
altogether  a  volume  of  dazzling  beauty,  which  must  be  seen  to  be 
duly  appreciated  square  folio.  SiEC.  xvi. 

This  superb  Specimen  of  African  Caligraphy  is  one  of  the  finest  Korans  ever 
offered  for  sale.  In  it  the  Illuminator,  who  by  the  command  of  the  Prophet 
is  strictly  forbidden  to  decorate  the  Koran  with  any  of  those  Ornamenta¬ 
tions  so  common  in  Persian  and  Hindustani  Manuscripts,  has  endeavoured 
to  render  his  Manuscript  as  gorgeous  as  possible,  without  breaking  the 
Law,  by  twisting  the  Sentences  and  Letters  into  as  many  beautiful  shapes 
as  his  genius  and  skill  could  contrive.  That  he  has  been  successful  in 
rendering  the  volume  worthy  of  his  Imperial  Master  no  one  will  deny  and 
one  glance  at  the  magnificent  style  and  effect  will  suffice  to  stamp  the 
Designer  as  a  Master  of  his  Art.  Such  Manuscripts  are  certainly  of  the 
greatest  rarity ,  and  no  Arabic  Manuscript  of  the  Koran  has  yet  come  under 
our  notice  that  could  in  any  way  be  deemed  its  rival.  Twelves  leaves  at 
the  commencement  have  been  supplied  in  a  modern  hand-writing  leaving  a 
future  owner  to  try  his  hand  on  ornamenting  them  in  the  same  style  as 
the  others. 

98  Malatesta  (Monsignior  Giuseppe)  Istoria  delle  Dissenzioni 

pi  P.  Paolo  Y  co  i  Yeneziani  (1605) 

Unpublished  Manuscript  on  Paper.  folio.  S^c.  xvii. 

A  complete  and  very  important  Plistory  of  the  famous  Conflict  between  Pope 
Paul  V  and  the  Republic  of  Venice  in  which  the  celebrated  Father  Paul 
Sarpi  figured  so  conspicuously  on  the  side  of  the  latter,  having  been,  as  he 
himself  said,  born  a  Venetian  before  he  became  a  Papist  by  baptism.  The 
author  was  one  of  the  Pope’s  confidential  friends  and  advisers. 

99  Martyrologium  Sanctorum  Ecclesle. 

Manuscript  ON  Yellum;  a  fine  specimen  of  the  caligraphy  of 
the  end  of  the  Xth  Century,  having  on  last  page  a  Deed  of  a 
Donation  of  Lands  to  the  Monastery  of  St.  Bavo,  written  in 
the  Xlth  Century  folio.  S^EC.  x-xi. 

This  Martyrology  of  the  Church,  a  venerable  and  interesting  Manuscript,  is 
full  of  curious  particulars  and  is  of  the  greatest  importance  for  Ecclesias¬ 
tical  History. 

100  Mazzarino  (Cardinale  Giulio),  Lettere  (disposte  per  Ordine 

cronologico  dal  1647  slno  al  1651).  4  vols. 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  vellum  4to.  S^ec.  xvii. 

A  very  important  Collection  of  the  Letters  of  this  eminent  Statesman,  apparently 
collected  for  publication. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


31 


101  Missale  Copticum 

Manuscript  on  Cotton  Paper,  containing  various  Chapters 
of  the  Gospels  appointed  to  he  read  on  certain  Sundays  in  the 
year  folio.  S^EC.  xvi. 

In  Coptic,  with  Explanations  in  Arabic.  Manuscript  Services  of  the  Coptic 
Church  are  of  the  rarest  occurrence. 

102  Music.  Liber  cle  Cantu  Si  Fa  in  Missa,  Coptice  et  Arabice 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  in  Oriental  binding  4 to.  SiEC.  xvi. 
Coptic  Manuscripts,  with  Arabic  Translations,  are  very  rare. 

103  Nicephori  Melisseni,  Episcopi  Crotoniatis,  Liber  de  Trini- 

tate  et  Opuscula  yaria  Graece.  Michaeeis  Apostolii 
Epistol^e,  Graece.  Guidoni  (Ainbrosii)  Tractatus  in  Aristo- 
telis  Libros  de  Anima.  Neapoli  1633.  Ejusdem  Tractatus  de 
Sacramento  Eucharistiae 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  in  different  hand-writings 

4 to.  Sa:c.  xvii. 

This  work  of  Nicepliorus  is  apparently  unpublished. 

104  Plinii  Historia  Naturalis.  Ex  C.  Plinio  Secundo  Comentarium 

(Hermolai  Barbari) 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  believed  to  be  in  the  Autograph  of  the 
famous  Hermolaus  Barbarus  folio.  Sa3C.  xv. 

105  Pauli  (S.)  Epistolas  septem  canonic^e,  cum  Glossis  et 

Notis  marginalibus 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  in  a  beautiful  distinct  handwriting ,  calf 

folio.  S^EC.  xi-xii. 

On  the  last  page  is  the  commencement  of  the  Apocalypse.  Early  Biblical 
Manuscripts,  like  the  present,  are  of  the  rarest  occurrence. 

106  Phalaridis  Epistolas  per  Franciscum  Aretinum  e  Graeco  in 

Latinum  traductse  Malatestae  Principi  dicatae.  Accedunt 
Diogenis  Epistolae ;  Mitridatis  Collectio  Epistolarum  Bruti ; 
Platonis  Epistolae  Leonardo  Aretino  Interprete ;  Caesaris 
Orationes  et  Epistolae  a  Lauro  Quirino  traductae ;  et  Relatio 
Simachi  Praefecti  Urbis  Romae.  Manuscript  on  Paper. 

4 to.  S.EC.  xv. 

107  TAAMIKA  KAI  KONTAKIA  sive  Officium  Ecclesiasticum  per 

to  turn  Annum  secundum  Usum  Ecclesiae  Graecae,  Graece  cum 
Notis  musicis. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum  (with  the  exception  of  a  feio  leaves  on 
paper  supplied  at  a  later  period )  folio.  S^EC.  xi. 

This  precious  Manuscript,  containing  the  daily  service  as  chanted  in  the  Greek 
Church,  is  undoubtedly  very  ancient,  and  judging  from  the  current  writing 


32  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

(generally  without  accents),  and  according  to  the  rules  laid  down  by 
Montfaucon,  in  his  admirable  “  Paleographia  Grseca,”  must  be  ascribed  to 
the  Xlth  Century.  An  inspection,  however,  of  the  capitals  (see  especially 
the  forms  of  the  A,  E,  K,  O,  (I,  fl,  &c.)  makes  it  very  doubtful 
whether  it  be  not  a  century  or  more  earlier.  The  extraordinary  rarity  of 
ancient  Greek  Manuscripts,  with  musical  notes,  is  known  to  every  collector, 
and  the  fact  of  this  volume  being  filled  from  beginning  to  end  with  them, 
must  stamp  it,  in  the  eyes  of  scholars  and  amateurs,  as  one  of  the  most 
valuable  remains  of  antiquity  ever  offered  for  sale. —  See  Plate  XY. 


108  Regles  de  la  seconde  Rettorique  cest  assayoir  des 

CHOSES  RIMEES. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum;  in  the  original  oak  hoards ,  covered 
rvith  leather ,  ornamented  with  blind-tooling  4 to.  SiEC.  xv. 

This  truly  precious  volume  is  remarkable  on  many  accounts.  In  the  first  place 
it  contains  a  French  Treatise  on  the  Art  of  Poetry,  and  a  Dictionary  of 
Rhimes — the  earliest  known.  Secondly,  it  comprises  a  collection  of  ancient 
French  Poetry,  such  as  l' Escouffle,  le  Tresor  et  le  petit  Testament  de  Jehan 
de  Meun ,  V Hospital  d1  Amours,  besides  several  inedited  Poems  in  singular 
Rhythms.  Thirdly,  it  furnishes  us  with  a  list  of  French  Poets  of  the 
Middle  Ages,  several  hitherto  unknown ,  and  points  out  the  species  of 
Poetry  invented  by  them.  From  this  we  learn,  not  only  the  exact  portions 
of  the  Rommant  de  la  Rose,  written  by  Guillaume  de  Loris,  and  by  Jehan 
de  Meun,  but  also  that  already  in  the  XVth  Century  Sir  John  Froissart  was 
considered  by  his  countrymen  as  too  partial  to  England.  Fourthly,  it  presents 
us  with  some  charming  tales  or  historiettes  in  Prose.  The  Volume  con¬ 
sists  of  two  Parts  in  distinct  hand-writings,  the  second  having  been  copied 
by  a  scribe  named  P.  Dompiengne,  who  has  written  his  name  in  full  on 
folio  61.  The  second  Part  is  written  in  three  columns,  with  the  exception 
of  the  Poetical  Pieces  at  end,  which  are  in  long  lines.  This  Portion  com¬ 
mences  with  the  Rules  to  write  “  Lays,  Ballades,  Virelays,  Motets,  Rothu- 
enges,  Sote-Chansons,  Arbalestrieres,  and  Pastourelles,”  giving  specimens 
of  each.  Next  follow  a  very  curious  Table  of  Mots  couverts  poetiques, 
various  Ballads,  and  singular  Poetry,  consisting  of  Fatras,  Doubles  Vire- 
lais,  Motets  esquarteles,  Rotuenges,  Rondeaux  dune  Syllabe,  Arbales¬ 
trieres,  Audengieres,  &c.,  &c.  Then  comes  a  Rhyming  Dictionary,  followed 
by  Ballades,  Lais,  and  Rondeaux,  as  a  conclusion  to  the  work  entitled 
“  Regies  de  la  Seconde  Rhetorique,”  which  is  one  of  the  most  attractive 
readings  that  can  be  conceived.  The  scribe,  as  a  sort  of  sequel,  has 
transcribed  some  Pieces  of  old  French  Poetry,  viz.,  “  Sote  chancon  de 
Guatier  Maqueau  de  Douay  ;  le  Tresor  et  le  petit  Testament  de  Jehan 
de  Meun  ;  and  Lopital  d’ amours.”  On  a  fly-leaf  at  end  are  two  small 
Poems  in  a  hand-writing  of  the  XYIth  Century,  one  rather  free  and  the 
other  eulogistic  of  the  Duke  and  Cardinal  de  Guise.  This  singularly 
curious  and  highly  interesting  Manuscript  appears  to  have  been  formerly 
valued  in  France  at  1800  francs,  and  in  a  literary  point  of  view  would  be 
cheap  to  a  Publisher  at  double  the  money. 


109  Roman  de  Boece,  Poerae  en  vieux  Fran^ais. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  in  double  columns ,  but  unfortunately 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


33 


wanting  the  last  leaf  and  part  of  another  in  the  body  of  the 
Poem  folio.  SiEC.  xiv. 

This  metrical  Romance  of  “Boetius  de  Consolatione,”  totally  different  from 
the  version  of  Jean  de  Meun,  and  also  from  the  inedited  translation  by 
Regnault  de  Lovens,  commences 

“  Celui  qui  bien  bat  les  buissons 
Dignes  est  davoir  le  meissons.” 

It  is  perhaps  a  production  of  the  celebrated  Christine  de  Pisan. 

110  Romm  ant  de  la  Rose  “  Ou  lart  damours  est  toute  enclose” 

(commence  par  Guillaume  de  Loris  et  acheve  par  Jean  de 
Meung  diet  Clopinel) 

Splendid  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  written  in  a  large  hand , 
in  double  columns,  with  painted  Capitals  folio.  SiEC.  xiv. 

In  spite  of  all  its  defects,  the  Roman  de  la  Rose  is  still  regarded  by  the  French 
as  one  of  the  most  important  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  ancient  monuments 
of  their  language  and  poesy.  Like  Chaucer’s  Canterbury  Tales,  the 
brilliant  sallies  of  wit  induce  even  the  modern  reader  to  pardon  the  dirt, 
although  sometimes  outraging  all  decency.  The  episodes  are  rich  in 
tales  and  satiric  traits  of  character,  which  four  centures  ago  seem  to  have 
kindled  the  ire  of  the  famous  Chancellor  Gerson  against  poor  Jean  de 
Meun,  so  as  to  cause  it  to  explode  in  the  exclamation,  “  Had  I  the  sole 
copy  of  the  Romance  of  the  Rose,  and  it  were  worth  one  thousand  pounds 
in  money,  I  would  rather  burn  it  than  sell  it  for  publication.  If  I  knew 
that  the  poet  had  not  been  penitent,  I  would  as  soon  pray  for  Judas  as  for 
him.”  Fortunately  for  literature  France  has  paid  as  little  attention  to  the 
Chancellor  of  Paris  as  Italy  did  to  the  anathemas  launched  by  Sti  Antonio 
against  Dante,  Boccaccio,  and  others.  On  its  appearance  the  Roman  de 
la  Rose  became  the  rage,  and  still  maintains  its  ground  despite  of  every 
opposition. 

111  Sane  Golgota  sive  Horaa  B.  Marite  Virginia,  JEthiopice 

Manuscript  on  Vellum  1 6mo.  S.ec.  xv. 

The  Service-Books  in  jEthiopic  are  of  very  great  rarity. 

112  Sedulii  Presbtteri  (Scoti)  Carmina 

Manuscript  on  Vellum  4 to.  S^ec.  xv. 

At  the  end,  in  the  same  hand- writing,  is  a  Manuscript  on  Paper,  containing, 
“  Libellus  S.  Augustini  Episcopi  de  Disciplina  Christiana." 

113  Senecas  Epistolte  ad  Paulum  cum  Responsis  Pauli.  Poggii 

Florentini  An  Seni  ducere  Uxorem  liceat?  et  Epistola  ad 
Cosmum  de  Medicis  de  Agricultura — aEneae  Silvii  (Pii  II) 
Fortuna — F.  Petrarchte  ad  Clementem  Papam  Epistola — 
Seneca  de  Moribus,  de  quatuor  Virtutibus,  ad  Paulum  Apos- 
tolum,  et  de  Remediis  Fortuitorum 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  by  an  Italian  scribe ,  having  the 
device  of  its  original  owner  (a  tree  with  motto  Al  Opera )  drawn 

r 


34  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

on  the  bottom  margin  of  the  first  page,  in  the  cotemporary 
stamped  binding  {that  of  the  Medici  Family')  with  clasp 

12 mo.  SiEC.  xv. 

1 14  Smaragdi  Abbatis  Explications  in  Regulam  Sancti 

Benedicti 

Precious  Manuscript  on  Vellum;  written  by  a  Spanish 
scribe  in  the  early  part  of  the  IXth  Century  ( probably  circa 
820),  in  visi-gothic  letters  of  a  singular  form 

square  folio.  S^EC.  ix. 

The  forms  of  the  Letters  in  this  venerable  Manuscript  prove  that  it  must 
have  been  written  at  a  very  early  period  in  Spain,  a  fact  fully  borne  out  by 
finding  some  Annotations  in  Spanish  therein.  The  excessive  rarity  of  all 
early  Manuscripts  written  in  the  Peninsula,  is  so  well  known  that  any 
comment  would  be  needless,  but  should  any  doubts  arise  as  to  the  land 
whence  this  emanated,  a  glance  at  the  heading  of  the  table  of  chapters  im¬ 
mediately  after  the  Introduction  (of  which  the  commencement  has  apparently 
been  lost  years  ago)  and  its  interlaced  rustic  capitals  must  convince  the 
most  sceptical,  the  more  especially  as  the  scribe  has  written  Bictum  for 
Victum  according  to  the  usual  pronunciation  of  the  Spaniards  at  that 
period.  This  precious  ancient  Codex  is  written  in  three  different  inks,  the 
body  of  the  work  being  in  black  visigotkic,  with  the  headings  in  red  and 
the  text  of  the  rule  in  green,  or  vice-versa.  It  is  the  oldest  of  the  Work 
now  in  existence,  and  was  probably  written  during  the  life-time  of  the 
Author,  who  was  Abbot  of  St.  Mihiel  near  Yerdun  in  France,  and  died  in 
823.  The  singular  and  extremely  rare  forms  of  several  of  the  rustic  capitals 
and  uncial  letters  render  this  Manuscript  a  very  interesting  study  for 
ancient  Caligraphy.  Some  of  the  Initial  Letters  are  of  elegant  design  and 
represent  figures  of  various  Animals. — See  Plate  XIII. 

115  Speculum  Human  Salvationis  in  Latino  (metrice  con- 

scriptum)  et  Vulgari  (Commentario  Germanico  illustratum). 

Manuscript  on  Paper,  in  the  Autograph  of  George  Witt- 
mansdorjfer ,  who  describes  himself,  “  Georgius  Wittmansdorffer, 
d’hallis  sallisseni  Fr.  Ordinis  Thewtonicorum,”  in  the  original 
oak  boards,  covered  with  leather.  4 to. 

A  very  important  Manuscript,  not  only  for  the  early  Saxon  dialect,  but  also 
for  the  origin  of  the  famous  Bloch-Book ,  bearing  the  same  title. 

116  Thiepolo  (M.  Antonio,  Ritornato  di  Constantinopoli  l’Anno 

1576,  Bailo  a  Baiazet  et  poi  Ambre.  Residente  a  Gregorio 
XIII  Papa)  sopra  le  Forze  del  Turco. 

Discorso  intorno  alia  Passata  dell’  Imperadore  in  Italia  con 
l’Anni  Tedesche  alii  Danni  del  Gran  Duca  di  Toscana. 

Malatesti  (Gioseppe)  Discorso  di  qual  Impresa  dourebbe 
tentare  il  Re  Catholico  doppo  l’Acquisto  di  Portogalla  {written 
to  incite  an  Invasion  of  England,  and  probably  suggested 
the  first  idea  of  an  “  Invincible  Spanish  Armada  ”). 

Castro  (Don  Scipio  di)  Parere  sopra  l’Andata  del  Duca 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


35 


d’Alanson  in  Fiandra  e  sopra  l’Andata  del  Principe  Mattia 
d’ Austria  in  Fiandra  1’Anno  1577. 

Manuscripts  on  Paper  in  1  vol.  folio.  S^ec.  xyii. 

117  ViTvE  Sanctorum  Patrum  (Severi  Vita  S.  Martini  cum  ejusdem 

Epistolis:  Relatio  S.  Gregorii  Turonensis  Archiepiscopi  de 
Ti’ansitu  S.  Martini ;  Vita  S.  Brictii  Episcopi ;  Hieronymi 
Liber  Vitas  Patrum  continens ;  S.  Athanasius  de  Exhortatione 
Monachorum;  &c .) 

Precious  Manuscript  on  Vellum,  beautifully  written ,  with 
painted  capitals.  folio.  SiCC.  xi — xii. 

For  a  new  edition  of  the  works  of  Sulpicius  Severus  this  venerable  manuscript 
would  be  of  great  importance.  The  Relatio  by  St.  Gregory  of  Tours 
and  the  Lives  of  St.  Martin  and  St.  Brice  are  highly  important  for  the 
early  history  of  France. 

118  Vita:  et  Passiones  Sanctorum. 

A  VERY  IMPORTANT  MANUSCRIPT  ON  VELLUM 

small  square  4 to.  SiEC.  x. 

This  precious  and  VENERABLE  Manuscript  is  very  interesting  to  the  Irish 
collector,  as  it  contains  the  very  rare  Life  and  Visions  of  the  Hibernian 
Saint  Furse  ;  commencing,  “Fuit  Vir  Vite  Venerabilis  Furseus 
nomine ,  nobilis  quiclem  genere ,  sed  nobilior  fide ,  Sfc.”  The  third  Vision 
commences,  “  Dumque  unius  anni  spatio  hybernie  inside  populos  doctrine 
studio  circumiret ,”  frc.  The  other  Lives  contained  are,  “  De  Vita  et 
Conversatione  B.  Virginis  Gertrudis “  Vita  S.  Ursmaris  Episcopi  et 
Confessoris  “  Vita  S.  Ermini  Episcopi  et  Confessoris ;  ”  “  Passio  septem 
Dormientium “Passio  S.  Pancratii “Passio  SS.  Xerei  et  Achillei;” 
“Passiones  Sanctarum  Sororum  Virginum,”  &c. ;  “Vita  cujusdam  Vir¬ 
ginis  “  Passio  S.  Eugenia;,  Virginis  et  Martyris “  Vita  S.  Symeonis 
qui  in  columna  stetit;”  and  “  Passio  S.  Anastatia;  et  Sororum  ejus.” 

119  Vitas  Sanctorum.  Vita  S.  Laurentii;  Translatio  S.  Benedicti 

Abbatis,  et  Sermo  Odonis  Abbatis ;  Vita  S.  Hieronymi  Pres- 
biteri ;  Vita  S.  Nicholai  Pontificis ;  Vita  S.  Silvestri  Papas ; 
Vita  B.  Ambrosii  Episcopi  a  Paulino  descripta;  Vita  S. 
Amandi ;  Vita  S.  Mauri  Abbatis ;  Vita  S.  Remigii  Episcopi ; 
Vita  S.  Martialis;  Vita  S.  Athanasii  Alexandrini  Episcopi; 
Exemplar  Epistolas  quam  transmisit  S.  Hilarius  Abras  suas 
Filiae ;  Miraculum  de  S.  Hilario ;  Vita  S.  Hilarii ;  Vita  S. 
Marias  Magdalenas;  Vita  S.  Vedasti  Episcopi ;  Vita  S.  Egidii 
Abbatis  ;  Vita  S.  Medardi  Episcopi ;  Vita  S.  Gaugerici  Epis¬ 
copi  ;  Vita  S.  Audomari  Episcopi ;  et  Vita  S.  Bertini  Abbatis. 

Manuscript  on  Vellum  folio.  Saec.  x — xi. 

A  beautiful  specimen  of  early  caligraphy,  with  very  elegantly  ornamented 
capitals.  At  the  end  is  another  Manuscript,  on  twenty-five  sheets  of 
Vellum,  written  in  the  XIVth  Century,  comprising  the  famous  “  Legenda 
S.Dominici"  written  by  “ Constantinus  Medices  Urbevetanus  Episcopus ,”  and 


36 


THE  L1BRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


the  equally  celebrated  “ Legenda  S.  Ludovici  Francornm  Regis."  For 
ecclesiastical,  as  well  as  profane  history,  these  Legends  of  Saints  are  highly 
important  documents.  This  venerable  Manuscript  contains  much  in¬ 
formation  respecting  the  History  of  France  and  Italy  prior  to  Charlemagne. 

120  A  Coptic  Manuscript,  in  uncial  letters  upon  Vellum,  of  the 

VHtli  or  VHIth  Century,  in  folio. 

This  Manuscript  is  imperfect,  consisting  only  of  a  number  of  leaves,  venerable 
remains  of  various  ancient  volumes  beautifully  written,  but  several  of 
which  are  much  damaged  in  consequence  of  their  antiquity.  Even  frag¬ 
ments  in  uncial  letters  of  that  period  are  extremely  important,  and  of  the 
rarest  occurrence. 

121  An  Arabic  Manuscript,  in  large  cufic  letters  upon  Vellum, 

of  the  VHIth  or  IXth  Century,  in  folio. 

The  loose  leaves  of  which  this  Manuscript  is  composed  contain  portions  of  the 
Koran,  taken  from  various  ancient  Manuscripts,  which,  although  partially 
damaged,  are  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the  Arabic  scholar,  as  nothing 
is  more  difficult  to  find  than  even  a  leaf,  in  cufic  characters ,  of  the  Sacred 
Book  of  the  Mohammedans. 

122  Papyri  Coptici.  Coptic  Manuscripts,  some  not  quite  perfect,  on 

papyrus,  unrolled,  written  in  uncial  letters  of  the  greatest 
beauty,  and  supposed  to  be  specimens  of  the  caligraphy  of  the 
IVth  Century  S-3EC.  iv. 

123  Papyri  -Egyptiaci.  Several  beautiful  sheets  and  fragments  of 

Papyri,  with  written  descriptions  and  some  with  curious  deli¬ 
neations.  Also  some  considerable  portions  of  ancient  Papyri 
without  any  hand-writing  on  them. 

124  .Egyptian  Inscriptions,  being  a  considerable  Manuscript  on 

Cloth,  in  the  -Egyptian  language,  of  the  greatest  antiquity. 

1 25  -Egyptian  Inscriptions.  Another  extremely  ancient  Manu¬ 

script,  in  the  -Egyptian  language,  on  Cloth. 

^Egyptian  Papyri  and -Egyptian  Manuscripts  on  Cloth,  which  in  the  last  Century 
were  considered  objects  of  no  great  curiosity,  are  now  very  scarce,  in  con¬ 
sequence  of  the  interest  given  to  them  by  recent  discoveries. 

126  Xylographic  Productions  worked  by  the  Process  of 

Rubbing.  A  Collection  of  twenty-eight  of  the  earliest 
specimens  of  Engraving  on  Wood,  whilst  the  art  was  still  in 
its  infancy,  in  the  original  colouring,  most  of  them  of  extra¬ 
ordinary  rarity,  and  several  probably  unique. 

This  extraordinary  Collection  embraces  the  following  rare  Engravings : — 
1.  The  Birth  of  Christ;  2.  Infant  Jesus  playing  with  Flowers,  the  Ma¬ 
donna  holding  a  Wreath ;  3.  Infant  Jesus  seated  in  a  Heart ;  4.  Madonna 
and  Child ;  5.  Madonna  and  Child,  with  the  Symbols  of  the  Four  Evan¬ 
gelists;  6.  St.  Maria  with  the  Infant  Jesus;  7.  The  Madonna  standing  on 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


37 


the  Moon’s  Crescent,  holding  on  her  left  arm  the  Infant  Jesus;  8.  Ma¬ 
donna  and  Child,  with  inscription  “  Maria  Jesus  9.  Christ  Driving  the 
Money-Changers  from  the  Temple  ;  10.  Christ  with  his  Mother  kneeling 
before  him;  11.  Christ  Bearing  his  Cross;  12.  Christ  seated  on  the  Cross 
with  a  Nun  praying ;  13.  The  Passion  of  Jesus  ;  14.  Christ  unrobed ; 
15.  Christ  on  the  Cross  ;  16.  Crucifixion;  17.  Christ  taken  down  from  the 
Cross;  18.  Ecce  Homo  ;  19.  The  Saviour  standing  on  the  Clouds,  holding 
the  Instruments  of  Torture;  20.  Christ’s  Farewell;  21.  The  Trinity;  22. 
The  Ascension  of  the  Blessed  Virgin ;  23.  St.  Anthony ;  24.  St.  Augus¬ 
tinus  ;  25.  St.  Catherine ;  26.  St.  Gregory  saying  Mass ;  27.  A  Monk 
rising  from  the  Clouds,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a  Sword,  and  in  his  left 
a  Book  ;  28.  Leaf  7  of  a  German  edition  of  the  Anti-Christ  (first  portion 
the  XVth  Century). 

127  Xylography,  representing  the  figure  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the 
thighs  to  the  top  of  the  head,  with  the  emblems  of  the  Passion, 
and  the  Initials  i^n^t^t^in  Gothic  characters  above. 

This  wood-engraving,  equally  extraordinary  by  its  antiquity  and  execution  as 
for  its  dimensions  (19  inches,  English,  in  height,  by  11  in  width — that  is  to 
say,  46  centimetres  by  28)  is  found  pasted,  as  has  happened  to  several 
other  Monuments  of  the  Origin  of  Typography,  on  the  interior  cover 
of  a  book,  to  which  it  is  still  attached,  and  whereon  also  may  be  seen 
Fragments  of  an  ancient  Manuscript  of  the  Xth  Century.  It  has  been 
anciently  coloured  and  is  perfectly  preserved.  This  Xylograph  was  dis¬ 
covered  by  Mr.  E.  Tross,  the  well-known  bookseller  of  Paris,  who  in 
selling  it  has  given  a  guarantee  in  writing,  vouching  that  this  precious 
Monument  was  executed  about  1450. 


PASTE  IMPRESSIONS  OF  EARLY  ENGRAVINGS. 

For  an  account  of  these  excessively  rare  and  very  curious  Impressions 
from  early  Engravings  (Lots  128  to  \ol ),  which  may  he  regarded 
as  a  sort  of  Niellos  in  Paste,  see  Passavant  ( Peintre  Graveur,  I, 
p.  102),  who,  however,  owing  to  their  extreme  rarity,  had  never 
been  able  to  see  more  than  sixteen  of  such  productions,  most  of 
which  he  describes  as  forming  part  of  the  Royal  and  Imperial 
Collections  at  Dresden,  St.  Petersburg,  and  Vienna.  In  con¬ 
sequence  of  their  great  friability  the  WHOLE  of  the  paste 
impressions  still  in  existence  are  more  or  less  damaged. 

128  Paste  Impression.  A  Representation  of  the  Holy 

Trinity,  showing  God  the  Father  seated  on  His  Throne, 
holding  before  His  Breast  our  Saviour  Crucified,  and  having 
the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  shape  of  a  Dove  hovering  over  His  Head. 

129  Paste  Impression.  Christ  Washing  the  Feet  of  His 

Disciples,  with  flowered  border. 

Our  Saviour  is  represented  kneeling,  with  face  turned  towards  the  right, 
washing  the  feet  of  one  of  His  Disciples.  In  the  back-ground  are  ten 
others  of  Ilis  Disciples. 


38  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 

130  Paste  Impression.  Christ  Bearing  His  Cross,  with  border 

of  flowers. 

Our  Saviour  proceeding  towards  the  left  is  represented  as  sinking  on  the  fallen 
Cross.  Before  Him  are  two  Executioners,  and  behind  are  two  Holy 
Women.  Above  is  Jerusalem  in  the  distance. 

131  Paste  Impression.  Saint  John  the  Evangelist,  with 

flowered  border. 

The  Saint  is  represented  as  standing  turned  towards  the  right  holding  his 
right  Hand  erect,  and  in  his  left  the  Cup  and  Snake. 

132  Paste  Impression.  Saint  Gregory  saying  Mass,  with 

flowered  border. 

The  Saint  is  represented  on  his  left  knee,  turning  towards  the  right,  kneeling 
before  the  altar,  from  which  Christ  is  rising.  The  back-ground  is 
chequered,  each  square  displaying  a  quatrefoil,  or  four-leaf  shamrock 

133  Paste  Impression.  Saint  Jerome  with  the  Lion,  sur¬ 

rounded  by  an  ivy  border,  having  at  each  of  the  corners,  and 
in  the  centre  of  each  side,  a  four-leaf  shamrock. 

The  Saint,  turned  towards  the  right,  is  standing  under  an  architectural  arch, 
holding  in  his  left  hand  an  open  book ;  on  the  left,  a  lion  is  springing 
upon  him. 

134  Paste  Impression.  Saint  Francis  receiving  the  Stig¬ 

mata,  with  Arabesque  border.- 

The  Saint,  kneeling  before  a  winged  Crucifix  hovering  right  over  him,  receives 
the  signs  of  Christ’s  wounds,  which  are  represented  as  flowing  towards 
him  in  five  streams  of  blood.  On  the  right,  under  the  cross,  is  a  monk 
with  his  hands  folded  in  prayer ;  and  on  the  left,  in  the  back-ground,  is 
seen  a  city. 

135  Paste  Impression.  Saint  Elizabeth,  Queen  of  Portugal, 

and  the  Beggar,  slightly  damaged. 

The  Queen,  with  the  crown  on  her  head,  is  standing  before  her  throne,  turning 
towards  the  left,  and  having  towards  the  right  a  Beggar,  with  hat  lifted, 
seated  at  her  feet.  The  floor  is  paved,  and  above,  on  both  sides,  are  turrets. 

136  Paste  Impression.  Martyrdom  of  Saint  Sebastian,  with 

border  of flowers. 

The  Saint  is  depicted  bound  to  a  tree,  with  his  face  towards  the  left ;  on  each 
side  is  an  Executioner  shooting  at  him  with  arrows. 

137  Paste  Impression.  Saint  George  and  the  Dragon,  with  a 

border  of  ga  rlands. 

The  Knight  on  horseback,  facing  towards  the  right,  is  busy  in  hewing  down 
with  his  sword  the  Dragon,  who  is  crouching  on  the  earth.  In  the  back¬ 
ground  to  the  right  is  the  King’s  Daughter,  and  on  the  left  a  castle. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


39 


138  Diana  of  Poictiers 

A  Beautiful  Octavo  volume  bound  in  red  morocco,  tooled,  ( the 
binding  of  the  XVItli  Century ,)  having  on  the  back,  as  a  device, 
a  beast  rampant,  surmounted  with  the  royal  crown  of  France. 

This  extraordinary  volume  contains  delineations  of  a  complete  collection  of 
surgical  and  other  instruments  beautifully  engraved  on  wood,  and  painted  in 
gold,  silver,  and  colours.  At  the  beginning  there  are  two  written  inscriptions, 
one  (the  title  of  the  work)  being  “  Instrumenta  Chyrurgiae  et  leones  anatho- 
micse,”  and  the  other  (in  the  same  hand-writing)  disclosing  in  all  probability 
the  name  of  the  author  “  1ST.  Rassius  Desneus  Chirurgus  regius  S.  Par.” 

Although  evidently  intended  for  the  press,  this  work  was  never 
published ;  and  it  seems  that  this  is  the  only  copy  still  in  existence  of  what 
may  be  considered  the  proofs  of  the  plates  which  are  beautiful  and  highly 
interesting.  There  are  no  printed  signatures,  but  these  are  added  in  ink 
at  the  bottom  of  the  leaves.  The  human  delineations  and  anatomical  figures 
are  remarkably  fine,  but  what  is  more  important  is  the  collection  of  all  the 
surgical  (and  even  toilette )  instruments  used  at  that  time.  Several  re¬ 
lating  to  Lithotomy,  moxa,  &c.  &c.  deserve  special  attention,  and  the  me¬ 
chanical  skill  by  which  artificial  members  are  to  be  constructed  and  the 
motion  of  the  real  ones  imitated,  has  never  perhaps  been  surpassed. 
The  plate  exhibiting  the  inside  of  an  artifical  hand  is  really  astonishing. 

The  greatest  interest  however  and  value  attached  to  this  volume  are  due 
to  the  circumstance  of  its  having  been  made  for  the  celebrated  Diana  of 
Poictiers,  so  well  known,  not  only  for  her  extraordinary  attractions,  so  well 
appreciated  by  the  King  of  France,  but  also  and  chiefly  as  the  patron  of 
arts.  The  proof  of  such  an  illustrious  origin  is  to  be  found  in  one  of  the  plates 
of  sheet  p  in  this  volume  where  the  well-known  triple  crescent  of  Diana 
is  to' be  found  engraved  twice.  It  is  well  known  that  Diana  was  partial 
to  surgery,  and  that  she  had  bound  in  her  magnificent  binding  a  copy 
upon  vellum  of  a  similar  work  by  the  famous  Ambrose  Pare. 

139  Mappamondo,  engraved  in  Copper,  between  1530  and  1540,  by 

a  first-rate  but  unknown  Italian  engraver. 

In  this  beautiful  Mappamondo ,  Peru  is  marked,  but  not  Chili.  The  North 
American  Continent  is  extremely  narrow  at  Florida,  the  coast  of  which 
is  marked  as  being  on  the  side  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  the  American 
Continent  is  connected  with  Asia  by  a  long  circuit.  This  Mappamondo  is 
within  an  ornamented  border  with  six  medallions,  containing  six  heads  of 
such  an  admirable  fineness ,  that  they  must  have  been  drawn  by  one  of  the 
greatest  artists  of  that  time.  We  do  not  recollect  having  seen  anything 
so  fine  in  any  engraving  of  the  whole  of  the  XVIth  Century.  Dimensions  : 
about  12  English  inches  by  8i,  or,  31  centimetres  by  22.  The  obverse 
of  this  Mappamondo  is  blank. 

140  Alexandri  Galli  Doctrinale. 

A  leaf  in  4to.  Gothic,  with  29  lines  on  a  page,  printed  on  Vellum.  This  leaf 
was  found  pasted  on  the  interior  cover  of  a  volume  like  other  rare 
fragments  of  editions,  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  Royal  Library  at  the 
Hague,  classed  amongst  the  so  precious  and  so  disputed  productions  of 
Koster  of  Haarlem,  from  1450  to  1470.  In  the  part  which  had  been  pasted 
on  the  cover  the  ink  had  faded,  and  seems  to  have  been  retouched  lately  in 
some  letters,  probably  by  some  child.  On  the  other  side  all  is  perfectly 
legible.  The  form  of  certain  letters  (especially  that  of  the  I,  and  the  M,  &c.) 


40  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


is  very  singular.  See  on  the  subject  of  this  precious  fragment  the  last  edition 
of  the  Manuel  of  M.  Brunet,  and  the  Catalogue  of  the  editions  of  the  XVth 
Century  in  the  Royal  Library  of  the  Hague,  by  M.  Holtrop.  This  leaf, 
containing  29  lines  in  a  page,  is  quite  different  from  the  two  editions,  con¬ 
taining  26  and  32  lines  in  each  page,  and  belongs  to  one  hitherto  quite 

UNKNOWN. 

141  Silver-Plate-Niello,  representing  a  Female  on  the  shoulders 

of  a  Satyr  in  the  middle  of  a  Landscape.  A  rectangular 
Plaque,  in  height  rather  more  than  2  inches  English,  by  lyL- 
inch  in  width,  or  51  by  33  millimetres  of  French  measure. 

The  excessive  rarity  of  Silver  Plaques,  containing  Niellos  with  Figures  and 
well-preserved  like  the  present,  is  too  well  known  to  require  comment. 
This  Niello  has  been  seen  by  the  best  judges  who  have  pronounced  it  to 
be  by  Francesco  Eaibolini  (usually  called  Francia)  the  same  to  whom 
Dr.  Panizzi  in  an  admirable  small  Dissertation  has  vindicated  an  interesting 
typographical  invention.  There  exists  in  the  British  Museum  an  impression 
on  paper  of  a  Niello,  likewise  attributed  to  Francia,  in  which  may  be  seen 
a  female  carried  by  a  satyr,  much  resembling  the  present.  This  impression 
was  exhibited  to  the  Public  in  1860  and  will  be  found  described  at  page  17 
(No.  11)  of  the  “Guide  to  the  Drawings  and  Prints  exhibited  in  the  King’s 
Library  (at  the  British  Museum)  London,  1860,  in  8vo.”  Another  Figure, 
also  having  much  resemblance  to  the  present  Niello,  is  described  by  Bartsch 
(300),  the  Design  being  attributed  to  Giulio  Romano.  The  present  Niello 
was  unknown  to  Duchesne. 

142  Disegni  Antichi.  A  Collection  of  Drawings  by  the  most  cele¬ 

brated  Italian  Masters  of  the  XVIth  and  following  Centuries ; 
namely, — Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Raffaello,  Michelangelo,  &c.,  &c. 
Amongst  the  more  beautiful  Designs  comprised  in  this  Lot,  we 
must  be  content  with  calling  particular  attention  to  the  fol¬ 
lowing  : — 

1.  Six  large  Designs  by  Albert  Durer,  of  a  circular  form,  representing 

subjects  taken  from  the  Life  of  Our  Saviour,  and  intended  to  be 

worked  in  iron. 

2.  Silenus  pouring  out  Wine,  a  very  beautiful  and  large  Design  by 

Michelangelo,  from  Sir  Peter  Lely's  Collection. 

3.  Two  very  beautiful  and  large  Landscapes  by  Titian. 

4.  A  Leaf  with  Designs  and  Writing  (from  right  to  left)  by  Leonardo 

da  Vinci,  very  rare. 

5.  Two  large  Designs  by  Paul  Veronese. 

6.  St.  John,  by  Annibale  Caracci  (the  Painting  is  now  at  Stafford 

House). 

7.  The  coming  out  from  the  Ark,  by  Raffaello,  magnificent. 

8.  Others  by  B.  Bandinelli ,  Andrea  del  Sarto ,  &c.  &c. 

Most  of  these  Drawings  formerly  graced  the  celebrated  collections  of  Sir  Thomas 
Lawrence  and  M.  Woodburn. 

A  collection  exactly  of  the  same  kind  and  formed  by  the  same  collector 
was  purchased  by  auction  in  these  rooms  on  the  26th  of  July,  1862,  by  Sir 
Thomas  Phillipps,  Bart.,  for  the  sum  of  <£130. 

*  *  *  The  whole  of  the  Drawings  contained  in  the  above  and  three  following  Lots 
were  formerly  in  the  most  celebrated  collections.  It  is  impossible  to  describe 
them,  they  must  be  seen  to  be  duly  appreciated. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


41 


143  Disegni  Antichi.  A  similar  Collection  of  Ancient  Drawings 

c5 

by  the  most  celebrated  artists  of  the  XYIth  and  XVIIth 
Centuries;  containing  Original  Designs,  by  the  most  cele¬ 
brated  Masters. 

Amongst  the  beautiful  Designs  in  this  Lot  will  be  found : — 

1.  Two  charming  Designs  by  Callot. 

2.  Rembrandt’s  own  Portrait,  admirably  sketched  by  himself. 

3.  The  Town  Hall  of  Amsterdam,  by  the  same  Artist. 

4.  St.  Peter,  by  Guercino.  This  has  been  engraved  by  Bartolozzi. 

5.  The  Madonna,  a  charming  Design  by  J.  van  Achen. 

6.  The  Madonna,  a  large  and  beautiful  Drawing  by  Rubens. 

7.  Marsyas,  by  A.  Caracci. 

8.  A  beautiful  Portrait  of  a  Female,  by  Albert  Durer,  slightly  damaged. 

9.  A  Sketch  by  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  with  writing  in  his  autograph. 
There  are  also  others  by  Paul  Veronese ,  Polidoro  da  Caravaggio ,  Claude 

le  Lorrain,  Denon ,  &c.  &c. 

144  Disegni  Anticiii.  A  similar  Collection  of  Drawings  by  the  most 

celebrated  Artists  of  the  XYIth  and  XVIIth  Centuries ; 
including  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Poussin,  Rembrandt,  &c.  &c. 

In  this  Lot  we  specially  recommend  attention  to  — 

1.  Various  studies  made  'by  Michelangelo  for  his  chefs-d’oeuvre  in 

the  Sistine  Chapel. 

2.  Sketches  and  handwriting  of  Leonardo  da  Vinci. 

3.  A  large  figure  of  a  Monk,  by  Ph.  de  Champagne,  and  another  Design 

by  the  same  Artist. 

4.  A  magnificent  Design  by  Mantegna,  similar  to  the  one  on  a  larger 

scale,  but  less  beautiful,  preserved  at  Hampton  Court. 

5.  Designs  by  Rembrandt,  B.  Bandinelli ,  A.  Caracci,  Maratti ,  &c.  &c. 

145  Disegni  Antichi.  A  similar  Collection  of  Drawings  by  the  most 

celebrated  Artists  of  the  XYIth  and  XVIIth  Centuries. 

Every  design  in  this  Collection  is  deserving  of  minute  inspection, 
and  we  shall  therefore  merely  cite : — • 

1.  A  magnificent  Study  for  his  Last  Judgment,  by  Michelangelo. 

2.  A  large  and  beautiful  Landscape  by  Titian. 

3.  A  Madonna  with  four  Monks  by  Rubens,  a  large  and  grand  composi¬ 

tion ,  in  which  some  of  the  most  singular  miracles  attributed  to  the 
Blessed  Virgin  are  delineated.  For  instance,  she  is  represented  as 
taking  for  her  Husband  one  of  the  Monkish  Saints  by  giving  him 
her  ring ;  to  another  she  is  supplying  milk  from  her  naked  breast , 
&c.  &c. 

4.  A  Landscape  by  A.  Caracci,  with  the  Engraving  of  it  by  Masse. 

5.  A  truly  charming  Madonna  by  Murillo. 

6.  A  Leaf  with  Sketches  by  Leonardo  da  Vinci. 

7.  Other  Designs  by  Paul  Veronese,  Palma,  Lanfranco,  Domeni- 

CHINO,  &C.  &C. 

G 


42  THE  LIBRI  COLLECTION  OF  MANUSCRIPTS, 


146  CORPUS  JURIS  CANONICI  cum  Picturis  splendidis- 
simis  GIOTTI  Florentini  Pictoeis  celebeeeimi 
Manuscript  on  Vellum,  by  an  Italian  scribe ,  very  eichly 
ADOENED  WITH  NUMEROUS  MINIATURES  BY  THE  CELE¬ 
BRATED  GIOTTO  (so  admired  and  praised  by  Dante),  and 
with  others  by  the  Pupils  or  Scholars  of  that  famous  Master, 
brown  morocco,  super  extra ,  blind  tooled  in  the  monastic  style 

royal  folio.  S^EC.  xiv. 

This  Magnificent  Volume,  filled  with  exquisite  Miniatures,  requires 

ONLY  TO  BE  SEEN  TO  BE  APPRECIATED  AS  AN  INIMITABLE  WORK  OF  ITALIAN 

Art.  The  paintings  are  truly  admirable,  and,  if  not  all  from  the  hand  of 
the  immortal  Giotto  himself,  betray  indubitable  signs  of  his  presiding 
genius,  and  must  have  been  executed  by  the  ablest  of  his  pupils  under  his 
immediate  direction,  as  is  known  to  have  been  the  case  in  several  of  his 
most  important  productions.  Painted  on  a  gold  ground  with  the  most 
brilliant  colours,  they  show  in  every  feature  not  only  the  design  and  style, 
but  even  the  very  expression  and  execution  of  GIOTTO.  These  Miniatures 
are  of  two  sorts,  large  and  small,  the  former  generally  representing  Schools, 
in  which  are  exquisitely  portrayed  the  costumes  and  features  of  the  most 
distinguished  Professors,  and  the  latter  (of  which  there  are  several 
hundreds ),  delineating  small  heads  of  men  or  animals,  &c.  The  large 
Miniatures  (about  forty  in  number)  are  on  a  grand  scale  (the  first  occupy¬ 
ing  the  entire  page  of  this  huge  volume),  and  may  be  truly  regarded  as  small 
Cabinet  Pictures.  The  extraordinary  dimensions  as  well  as  the  number 
and  beauty  of  the  Miniatures  of  this  admirable  volume  render  it  certain 
that  it  could  only  have  been  got  up  at  an  enormous  expense  for  some 
wealthy  and  distinguished  personage  of  the  XIVth  Century.  In  all  pro¬ 
bability  this  beautiful  Manuscript  was  illuminated  during  the  time  that 
GIOTTO  was  working  with  his  pupils  at  Padua,  as  the  costumes  them¬ 
selves  have  all  the  appearance  of  being  Venetian.  As  an  unrivalled 
specimen  of  GIOTTO  and  his  School,  as  well  as  for  its  extraordinary  state 
of  preservation,  it  is  worthy  of  a  distinguished  place  in  the  richest  Cabinet 
of  Art. — See  Plate  XIV,  wherein  is  delineated  the  first  Illumination  of 
the  Manuscript,  representing  Christ  disputing  with  the  doctors  in 
the  Temple. 


OBJECTS  OF  ART  AND  VERTU,  ETC. 


43 


147  Libri  (G.)  Monumens  inedits  ou  peu  connus. 

Second  Edition  of  this  magnificent  Work  ( with 
additional  Engravings )  containing  65  plates  of 
Specimens  of  Book-Binding ,  splendid  Works  of 
Art ,  exquisite  Drawings  [log  Rajfaello ,  Michel- 
angelo ,  Vinci ,  Rubens ,  ^c.),  fine  Illumina¬ 

tions,  early  Antiquities  in  Gold  by  Aborigines 
of  America ,  Spc.  Sfc.  beautifully  executed  in  the 
best  style,  in  gold,  silver,  and  colours 

royal  folio.  1864 

“  This  magnificent  work,”  as  is  justly  observed  by  the  editor  of 
“  The  Fine  Arts,”  contains  “  accurate  reproductions  of  the 
most  beautiful  Designs,  rich  in  colour,  and  chaste  in  execution. 
....  Models  for  future  artists.”  In  the  opinion  publicly 
expressed  by  the  highest  authorities  it  is  superior  in  accuracy 
to  any  other  on  the  subject,  not  excepting  the  splendid  publi¬ 
cations  of  Count  de  Bastard,  M.  Silvestre,  M.  de  Sommerard, 
&c.,  and  must  be  regarded  as  an  indubitable  authority  of  the 
highest  value. 

As  the  “  Athenaeum  ”  and  other  literary  reviews  have  all  been 
highly  eulogistic  on  the  subject  of  the  first  edition  of  this  work, 
taking  into  consideration  also  the  extremely  limited  number 
of  copies  (150)  worked  off  before  the  stones  were  destroyed 
(thus  preventing  any  reprint),  it  is  fairly  to  be  presumed  that 
this  new  edition  will  be  speedily  exhausted,  and  eventually 
become  extremely  rare. 

148  Another  Cory  of  the  above  splendid  Work. 

149  Another  Copy  of  the  above  splendid  Work. 

150  Another  Copy  of  the  above  splendid  Work. 


14 


MANUSCRIPTS. 


ANOTHER  PROPERTY. 

151  Hora:  Beat/e  Marine  Yirginis  secundum  Usum  Roman um 

cum  Calendario 

Manuscript  on  very  fine  Vellum,  by  an  Italian  Scribe, 
with  37  Miniatures,  ( those  of  the  Calendar  and  14  others, 
full  size  of  the  page ,  with  Architectural  Designs  in  the  back¬ 
ground  f  elegant  borders  (composed  of  Animals,  Fruits  and 
Flowers,)  and  numerous  Capital  Letters,  all  finely 

ILLUMINATED  IN  GOLD  AND  COLOURS,  IN  AN  ARTISTIC 

style,  from  the  “  Biblioteca  Terzi  ” 

square  1  Gmo.  Sacc.  xv. 

152  II  or  as  Beata:  Maria:  Virginis  secundum  Usum  Ecclesle 

Romanas  cum  Calendario 

Manuscript  on  Vellum,  by  a  French  Scribe,  with  8  Minia¬ 
tures,  Borders,  and  numerous  Capital  Letters,  il¬ 
luminated  IN  GOLD  AND  COLOURS,  purple  velvet,  gilt  edges 

4 to.  Sa:c.  xv. 

153  Lectionarium  ex  Evangeliis  pro  Dominicis  et  Festis 

Sanctorum 

Manuscript  on  Vellum ,  finely  written  at  the  end  of  the  IXth  or 
beginning  of  the  Xth  Century ,  in  the  original  oak  boards 

small  folio.  Sasc.  ix — x. 


CHISWICK  PRESS  : — PRINTED  BY  WHITTING II AM  AND  WILKIN'S, 
'LOOKS  COURT,  CHANCERY  LANE. 


Immediately  after  the  conclusion  of  the  Sale  of  the  Libri 
Collection,  MESSRS.  SOTHERY,  WILKINSON,  &  HODGE, 
will  sell  another  Important  Collection  of  Ancient  Theological  Manu¬ 
scripts  on  Yellum,  for  which  see  separate  Catalogue. 


I 


N°ie 


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1 


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XII 


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£  *  M  £ 
2*3-  St 


THE  METROPOLITAN 
MUSEUM  OPART 


Thomas J.Watson  Library